NEWMARKET SERVICES

Publishers of 95 U.S. and 32 International Relocation Guides, NewMarket Services,

Inc., is proud to introduce our online version. Now you may easily access the

same information you find in each one of our 127 Relocation Guides at

www.NewMarketServices.com.

In addition to the content of our 127 professional written City Relocation Guides,

the NewMarket Web Site allows us to assist movers in more than 20 countries by

encouraging you and your family to share your moving experiences in our NewMarket

Web Site Forums. You may share numerous moving

tips and information of interest to help others settle

into their new location and ease the entire

transition process. We invite everyone to visit and

add helpful information through our many www.NewMarketServices.com available forums.

Share with others your knowledge of your new

location or perhaps your former location. If you ever need to research a city for any

reason, from considering a move to just checking where somebody you know is staying,

this is the site for you.

NewMarket Services looks forward to cooperating with everyone to continually add

to our base of City Specific Information along with our various moving topics to help

many of the 40 million people who have the opportunity to relocate each year.

Please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department to speak to a live

representative if we can provide any assistance. Our toll free number is (866) 595-3792.

Charleston Information Guide [ 5 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

The NewMarket Services Information Guide is designed as a valuable resource tool for you, the newcomer to Charleston. It is our intent in producing this publication to standardize important and helpful information on your new community in a format that is most useful to you. Charleston Welcomes You! Important telephone numbers, mortgage loans, and much, much more useful information is found throughout the Guide pages. Selected area businesses, many offering significant savings are found in the listing, sorted by category.

The Guide can save you both time and money while providing you a continuous resource tool as you become more familiar with the metroplex. We do hope you find our Relocation Guide to be of assistance to you. If you do not find something you need, or if you have any suggestions for future issues of the Guide, please give us a call. We will be happy to assist in any way.

(866) 595-3792 Toll Free From everyone at NewMarket Services Welcome to Charleston! www.newmarketservices.com Charleston Information Guide [ Volume 7 [ Number 12

LOCAL INFORMATION The State of West Virginia 8 About Charleston 9 Area Codes, Important Phone Numbers 11 Travel Information 12-13 Driver’s License and Auto Registration 14 Voter Registration 14 Historical Background 15-16 Publisher: NewMarket Services, Inc. Weather 16 President: Patrick Morgan Recreation 17 Things To See and DO 18-19 Managing Editor: Rebecca Wallace Media 20 Executive Editor: Jason Gerali Contributing Writer: Amy Tennant MOVING Smooth Transitions 22-23 Executive VP Sales & Marketing: Robert Fischer Choosing a Moving Company 22 Regional Sales Manager: Beth Hurley Packing Tips 22-23 Art Department: Sprague Design Co. Staying Organized 23 Settling Into Your New Home 23 Graphic Designer: Dean Sprague What’s All the Talk About? 25 NewMarket On-Line: Total Web Design, Inc. Pre-Move Checklist 26-27 IT and Web Development: Larry Bongiovi Relocating Your Pet 28

Research Assistant: Stephanie Cooper, Lora Price MOVING WITH CHILDREN Circulation: Little Drummer Boy Dist., Inc. Reinforce the Positives 30-31 Phoenix Office: Choosing a School 30-31 Selecting Child Care 31-32 1814 East Bell Road, Suite 2113 Education 33-37 Phoenix, AZ 85022 Phone: (602) 923-3415 FITNESS & HEALTH Fax: (602) 923-0774 In the Kitchen 39 Toll Free: (866) 595-3791 Physical and Mental Well Being 40-42 Chicago Office: Volunteering 43 902 North Ashland HOUSING Chicago, IL 60622 Making the Right Choice 45-46 Phone: (312) 226-6288 Choosing the Right Home 47 Fax: (312) 226-6290 Home Inspection Checklist 48 Toll Free: (866) 595-3792 Homecare Basics for New Homeowners 49 Security 50 NewMarket currently publishes Information Guides for 95 North American and 32 Take Control of Your Energy Costs 51 International Markets. To order your Home Buyer’s Glossary 52-53 NewMarket Information Guides for $3.50 Who’s Who in Building 54 each, please contact NewMarket Services toll free at (866) 595-3792. Selecting a Builder 55 Selecting a Contractor 56 In preparing this publication, every effort Mortgage Information 57-59 has been made to assure the accuracy of the information contained herein, but BUSINESS DIRECTORY authenticity cannot be guaranteed. Listings Business Directory Listings 60-61 are subject to omission, error or change without notice.

All material in this publication is copyright protected and can only be reprinted with permission of the publisher.

Charleston Information Guide [ 7 THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

The state is noted for its great natural beauty, its historically- Baltimore significant logging and coal mining industries, and labor history. It is Pittsburgh PA also well known as a tourist destination for those people interested in outdoor activities such as skiing, whitewater rafting, rock Columbus MD climbing, fishing and hunting. OH Because of the mountainous nature of the entire state, West Washington DC Virginia has several notable tunnels and bridges. The most famous of these is the New River Gorge Bridge, which was at a time the Cincinnati WV longest steel single-arch bridge in the world with a 3,031 foot (924 Richmond VA m) span. The bridge is also pictured on the West Virginia state quarter. Charleston Hampton Roads The economy of West Virginia is one of the most fragile of any KY U.S. state. One of the major resources in West Virginia's economy is coal. West Virginia also engaged in oil drilling, but currently only NC has a few small to medium sized oil and natural gas fields. Farming is also practiced in West Virginia, but on a limited basis because of Piedmont Triad the mountainous terrain over much of the state. Raleigh/Durham

est Virginia offers the perfect balance of a rural and urban setting. This is a state where you can go Fast Facts Wwhitewater rafting in the morning, go to an art exhibit in STATE CAPITAL: Charleston the afternoon and attend a West Virginia Symphony concert in the LARGEST CITIES: Charleston, Huntington and Parkersburg evening. NICKNAME: Mountain State West Virginia is located in the Appalachia region. The state is POPULATION: 1,816,856 bordered by Pennsylvania to the north; by Ohio to the north and AREA: 24,231 sq. mi. west; by Kentucky to the west; by Maryland to the north and east; TIME ZONE: Eastern Standard Time and by Virginia to the east and south. The Ohio and Potomac rivers form parts of the boundaries. West Virginia is the only state in the MEDIUM INCOME: $32,589 nation located entirely within the Appalachian Mountain range, and WEB SITE: www.wv.gov in which all areas are mountainous; for this reason it is nicknamed The Mountain State. West Virginia broke away from Virginia during the American Civil War and was admitted to the Union as a separate state on June 20, 1863 (an anniversary now celebrated as West Virginia Day in the state). It is the only state formed as a direct result of the American Civil War.

8 ] Charleston Information Guide ABOUT CHARLESTON

OVERVIEW

is the capital of West Virginia. Currently, Charleston is the largest city in the state. It is the county seat of Kanawha County. The Kanawha River meanders through Cthe valley and mountains surrounding the capital city. The river is the trademark of commercial and recreational activity, and barges can be seen transporting coal daily. The City of Charleston, a gateway city with convenient access to three major interstate systems, has outstanding opportunities for its citizens. Several large companies are headquartered in the Charleston area including West Virginia-American Water Company, United National Banks, Inc., Gino's Pizza and Spaghetti and Tudor's Biscuit World. No matter what time of year, Charleston is the place for residents to delight in the pleasures that each season brings. The beautiful, rolling mountains are close enough for you to explore, yet are distant enough to provide the perfect backdrop for West Virginia’s capital city. A wide, sparkling river winds gently by, edging all the downtown activities. A stroll along the river’s attractive walkway gives you an idea of how relaxing and comfortable Charleston is. Along with its peaceful setting, there are all the amenities of a sophisticated urban center. You can shop in the hustle and bustle of Charleston Town Center, which is one of the largest urban malls in the nation. Or, if you wish, you can dart into one of the many unique shops and boutiques in Charleston’s Renaissance Village. You may wish to discover the magnificent architectural splendor of the state capitol building and governor’s mansion through a guided tour. While you are there, stop by the West Virginia Cultural Center and walk through time. Then in the evening, you can sample one of Charleston’s many restaurants. Charleston is home to numerous annual events and fairs that take place throughout the city, from the banks of the Kanawha River to the capitol grounds. The West Virginia Dance Festival, held between April 25 and 30, features dance students from across the state that attend classes and workshops in ballet, jazz and modern dance. At the finale, the students perform in the West Virginia State Theatre; these are free to the CHARLESTON DEMOGRAPHICS public. Between April 27 and 30 is the West Virginia International Film Festival, where many domestic and international films are shown that range from "full-length feature films, shorts, City Population: 51,662 documentaries, animation and student films." Median Age: 39.6 In May the Kanawha Kordsmen Barbershop Chorus performs at the Clay Center for the Arts. The 40-man cappela chorus performs music in a show titled "Songs America Sings." Ethnic Make-up: On Memorial Day weekend, the Vandalia Gathering is held on the grounds of the state White/Caucasian: 82.3% capitol. Thousands of visitors each year enjoy traditional music, art, dance, stories, crafts African American: 16.2% Other: 15% and food that stems from the "uniqueness of West Virginia's mountain culture."

Housing units: 115,409

Charleston Information Guide [ 9 NATIONAL HEALTH ORGANIZATION PHONE NUMBERS

National Health Organization Mental Health Simply dial plus the number below 1-800-*… National Alliance for the Mentally Illness (NAMI) 950-6264 Allergy National Down Syndrome Society 244-4444 Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AFFA) 727-8462 National Mental Health Association Resource Ctr 969-6642 Cancer Neurology American Cancer Society 227-2345 National Alzheimer’s Association 272-3900 American Institute for Cancer Research. 843-8114 Christopher Reeve’s Paralysis Foundation 225-0292 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America 955-4572 American Parkinson Disease Association 223-2732 National Cancer Institute (CIS) 422-6237 Epilepsy Foundation of America. 332-1000 Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) 754-6490 United Cerebral Palsy Associations (UCPA) 872-5827 Children’s Health Huntington’s Disease Society of America 345-4372 American SIDS Foundation 232-7437 Brain Injury Association of America Family Hotline 444-6443 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) 344-4823 National Headache Foundation 843-2256 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 223-1138 National Multiple Sclerosis Society 344-4867 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Alliance 221-7437 National Stroke Association 787-6537 National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation, Inc. 233-7393 Patient Care Spina Bifida Association of American 621-3141 Medic Alert Foundation U.S. 863-3425 or 432-5378 Infectious Diseases National Hospice Organization 658-8898 AIDS Hotline, CDC National, National STD Hotline 342-AIDS Shriner’s Hospital Referral Line 237-5055 (Spanish) 344-7432 Visiting Nurse Association of America 426-2547 (Hearing Impaired) 243-7889 Physical Disabilities Internal Medicine American Council of the Blind 424-8666 American Diabetes Association 232-3472 American Speech/Language/Hearing Association 638-8255 American Heart Association 242-8721 or 968-1793 National Easter Seals Society 221-6827 American Kidney Association 638-8299 Woman’s Health American Lung Association 586-4872 Endometriosis Association 992-3636 Arthritis Foundation 283-7800 Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. 221-2141 Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. 932-2423 *This is a Toll-Free Number! Lupus Foundation of America 558-0121 This is only a partial list of national health organizations. National Kidney Foundation 622-9010 Contact the National Health Information Center (NHIC) Spondylitis Association of American (SAA) 777-8189 at (800) 336-4797 for a more complete list.

NOTE: This general information is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional as it relates to your specific situation.

10 ] Charleston Information Guide IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

City Area Code(s) Services The area code for Charleston is 303. Directory Assistance 411 If the phone number you’re searching for is not listed below, call Emergency (843) 555-1212. Emergency (Fire, Police, EMS) 911 Shipping & Postal Service Non-Emergency Airborne Express (800) 247-2676 Non-emergency Crime Reporting 348-8111 DHL Airways (800) 225-5345 Non-emergency Fire 348-8137 Emery Worldwide (800) 443-6379 City Attorney 348-8032 Federal Express Corp. (800) 463-3339 City Clerk 348-8179 United Parcel Service (800) 742-5877 West Virginia State Police Headquarters (304) 746-2100 725 Jefferson Road Support Networks South Charleston, WV 25309 Alcohol & Drug 24-Hour Help Line (800) 562-1240 Financial Services Child Protective Services (800) 797-3260 Automatic Teller Information (to report abuse and neglect) ATM Locator (800) 248-4286 Crisis Pregnancy Center (800) 395-4357 MasterCrd ATM (800) 424-7787 Crisis Response (800) 820-6333 VISA Plus System (800) 843-7587 National Runaway Switchboard (800) 621-4000 Lost or Stolen Credit Cards 24-hour hotline to link runaways to social service agencies or to American Express (800) 233-5432 their families. Confidential. AT&T Universal Card (800) 423-4343 Runaway Hotline (800) 392-3352 Diners Club (800) 234-6377 Rape Crisis Center (800) 820-6333 Discover Card (800) 347-2683 Teen Link (Various Topics) (800) 235-9678 JCB (800) 736-8111 Teen Health InfoLine (800) 998-3600 MasterCard (800) 826-2181 VISA (800) 336-8472 Utilities

Lost or Stolen Travelers Checks Cable American Express (800) 221-7282 Suddenlink Communications (800) 972-5757 Thomas Cook MasterCard (800) 223-7373 www.suddenlink.com Travelers Check Customer Service (800) 645-6556 Electricity VISA (800) 227-6811 Appalachian Power (800) 982-4237 www.appalachianpower.com Government Numbers Gas Internal Revenue Service (800) 829-1040 Mountaineer Gas (800) 834-2070 Social Security Administration (800) 772-1213 www.mgcwv.com Internet/Telephone Hospitals Verizon (304) 954-6200 Camc Women and Children's Hospital (304) 347-9200 www22.verizon.com 800 Pennsylvania Ave Water Charleston, WV 25302 West Virginia American Water Company (800) 685-8660 Charleston Area Medical Center (304) 388-5432 www.wvawater.com 501 Morris Street Charleston, WV 25311 Highland Hospital (304) 925-4756 300 56th Street Se Charleston, WV 25364 St Francis Hospital (304) 347-6500 333 Laidley Street Charleston, WV 25301 Thomas Memorial (304) 766-3600 4605 MacCorkle Avenue S.W. South Charleston, WV 25309

Charleston Information Guide [ 11 TRAVEL INFORMATION

Airport US Airways, www.usairways.com* (800) 428-4322 Parking Virgin Atlantic, www.virgin-atlantic.com (800) 862-8621 The long-term entrances are first as you round the hill at the top *Denotes service to CRW of Airport Road. Continue around the circle and past the Terminal International Airlines Building to the short-term entrance. The parking facilities are Aer Lingus, www.aerlingus.ie (866) 886 8844 attended 24 hours a day. Aeroflot, www.aeroflot.aero/eng/ (650) 615-9278 Rates AeroMexico, www.AeroMexico.com (800) 237-6639 Grace period - 7 minutes Aerolineas Argentina, www.aerolineas.com.ar (800) 333-0276 Short-Term Air Canada, www.aircanada.ca (800) 247-2262 0-1 hour $1.50 Air China, www.china-airlines.com (800) 986-1985 Additional 1/2 hour $1.00 Air France, www.airfrance.com (800) 237-2747 Air India, www.airindia.com Daily maximum $8.00 Air Jamaica, www.airjamaica.com (800) 523-5585 Long-Term Air New Zealand, www.airnewzealand.com (800) 262-1234 0-2 hours $3.00 Alaska Airlines, www.alaskaair.com (800) 426-0333 2-6 hours $3.50 Alitalia, www.alitaliausa.com (800) 223-5730 6-10 hours $4.00 Asiana, us.flyasiana.com (800) 227-9262 British Airways, www.british-airways.com (800) 247-9297 10-24 hours $6.00 Cathay Pacific, www.cathaypacific.com (800) 233-2742 Daily rate $6.00 (as many days as needed) China Airlines, www.china-airlines.com (800) 227-5118 Meter Lot China Eastern, www.chinaeastern.co.uk (800) 200-5118 25 cents per 15 minutes Egypt Air, www.egyptair.com.eg (800) 334-6787 El Al, www.elal.co.il (800) 223-6700 Domestic Airlines Eurofly, www.eurofly.it (800) 477-6492 Airtran Airlines, www.airtran.com (800) 247-8726 Eva Airways, www.evaair.com (800) 695-1188 Alaska Airlines, www.alaskaair.com (800) 252-7522 Iberia, www.iberia.com (800) 772-4642 Aloha Airlines, www.alohaairlines.com (800) 367-5250 Japan Airlines,www.jal.co.jp/en (800) 525-3663 KLM Airlines, www.klm.com (800) 374-7747 American Airlines, www.aa.com (800) 433-7300 Korean Air, www.koreanair.com (800) 438-5000 American Trans Air, www.ata.com (800) 435-9282 LACSA,centralamerica.com/cr/lacsa/lacsa.htm (800) 225-2272 Atlantic Southeast, www.flyasa.com (800) 282-3424 LOT Polish, www.lot.com (800) 223-0593 Comair, www.comair.com (800) 221-1212 Lufthansa, www.lufthansa.com (800) 645-3880 Continental Airlines, www.continental.com* (800) 525-0280 Mexicana, www.mexicana.com (800) 531-7821 Philippine Airlines, www.philippineairlines.com (800) 435-9725 Delta Airlines, www.delta.com * (800) 221-1212 Quantas, www.qantas.com (800) 227-4500 Express Jet, www.continental.com (800) 523-3272 SAS, www.scandinavian.net (800) 221-2350 Frontier Airlines, www.frontierairlines.com (800) 432-1359 Singapore Airlines, www.singaporeair.com (800) 742-3333 Hawaiian Airlines, www.hawaiianair.com (800) 367-5320 Skyservice USA, www.skyserviceairlines.com (877) 485-6060 JetBlue Airlines, www.JetBlue.com (800) 538-2583 Swissair, www.swiss.com (800) 221-4750 TACA, www.taca.com (800) 535-8780 Midwest Express, www.midwestexpress.com (800) 452-2022 USA 3000 Y Airlines, www.usa3000.com (800) 872-3000 Northwest Airlines, www.nwa.com * (800) 225-2525 Skyway Airlines, www.midwestairlines.com (800) 452-2022 Hotels/Motels Best Western (800) 528-1234 Skywest/Delta, www.delta.com (800) 453-9417 Budgetel Inns (800) 428-3438 Southern Skyways, www.southernskyways.com* (877) 235-9768 Clarion Hotels (800) 424-6423 Southwest Airlines, www.southwest.com (800) 435-9792 Comfort Inns (800) 424-6423 Spirit Airlines, www.spiritair.com (800) 772-7117 Courtyard by Marriott (800) 321-2211 Days Inn (800) 329-7466 SunCountry Airlines, www.suncountry.com (800) 359-6786 Doubletree Hotels (800) 222-8733 United Airlines, www.ual.com * (800) 864-8331 Econo Lodges (800) 446-4777

12 ] Charleston Information Guide TRAVEL INFORMATION

Embassy Suites (800) 362-2779 Interstate Fairmont Hotels (800) 527-4727 Charleston is one of the most accessible cities by auto, from all Four Seasons (800) 332-3442 regions . Three interstate highways, I-64, I-77 and I-79, converge in Hilton Hotels (800) 445-8667 Charleston, providing easy access from regional metropolitan Holiday Inns (800) 465-4329 centers. Howard Johnson Motor Lodges (800) 654-2000 Hyatt Hotels (800) 233-1234 Public Transportation La Quinta Motor Inn (800) 531-5900 Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation (KRT) (304) 343-7586 1550 Fourth Ave. Loews Hotels (800) 223-6397 Charleston, WV Marriott Hotels (800) 228-9290 City transportation consists of 65 buses on over 25 daily routes, Meridien Hotels (800) 543-4390 including shuttle buses and old-time trolley buses. Trolleys and Omni International (800) 843-6664 regular buses can be chartered for special events. Quality Inns (800) 228-5151 Radisson Hotels International (800) 333-3333 Rental Cars Ramada Inns (800) 228-2828 Advantage, www.arac.com (800) 777-5500 Red Roof Inns (800) 843-7663 Alamo, www.alamo.com* (800) 468-5266 Ritz Carlton Hotels (800) 241-3333 Avis, www.avis.com (800) 331-1212 Sheraton Hotels (800) 325-3535 Budget, www.budget.com (800) 527-0700 Stouffer Hotels (800) 468-3571 Dollar, www.dollar.com* (800) 800-4000 Super 8 Motels (800) 800-8000 Eneteprise, www.eneteprise.com* (800) 468-5266 TraveLodge Motels (800) 578-7878 Hertz, www.hertz.com* (800) 654-3131 Westin Hotels (800) 228-3000 National, www.nationalcar.com* (800) 227-7368 Thrifty, www.thrifty.com (800) 367-2277 Inter-City Transportation Amtrak (800) 872-7245 *Service available at airport. 350 MacCorkle Avenue - Southeast Taxi / Shuttle Rates & Information Charleston, WV 25314 C&H Taxi (304) 344-4902 www.amtrak.com 1410 Lewis St. Greyhound Bus (304) 357-0056 Charleston, WV 300 Reynolds St. Taxi and delivery service 365 days a year. Charleston, WV Service from City to numerous locations throughout the United States.

Charleston Information Guide [ 13 DRIVER’S LICENSE, AUTO REGISTRATION & INSURANCE

West Virginia Department of Transportation (304) 558-3900 Mandatory Insurance Kanawha City Regional Office West Virginia law requires all registered vehicles to be insured. 140 Kanawha Mall The minimum amount of coverage required is $20,000 for one Charleston, WV 25387 accident, one injury, $40,000 for one accident, two or more injuries, (800) 642-9066 www.wvdot.com $10,000 for property damage. All vehicle insurance policies must be issued by a company licensed to sell insurance in West Virginia. The Driver’s License Compulsory Insurance Law is designed to protect you and all After establishing residency, New residents who want to drive in motorists who operate a vehicle in the state of West Virginia. WV must apply for a WV driver’s license within 30 days. If you have a valid non-expired out-of -state license, you are eligible to transfer Motorists are required to carry proof of insurance in the form of a the license. You are required to pass a vision test, complete a brief (WV-1) Certificate of Insurance in their vehicle at all times. Law alcohol awareness course and surrender your out-of state license enforcement officers will request this information during any traffic before a WV license will be issued. A transfer applicant must stop or accident. present all acceptable documents that are required for a first-time applicant. Vehicle Registration When a vehicle is registered in West Virginia, the registrant will receive a license plate and registration card, which should be kept in the vehicle with the current insurance certificate at all times. The registration fee for passenger vehicles and pickup trucks weighing 8,000 pounds or less is $30.

VOTER REGISTRATION

Secretary of State (304) 558-6000 You may register at any time. To be eligible to vote in a specific Elections Division election, you must register 21 days before that election. The easiest Bldg. 1, Suite 157-K way to register is to download a mail-in registration form from the 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East above website. You may also register to vote when getting your Charleston, WV 25305-0770 driver's license. www.wv.gov WV State Democratic Party (304) 342–8121 You are eligible to register to vote in West Virginia if you are: 717 Lee Street, Suite 214 Charleston, WV 25301 • A resident of West Virginia and the county where you register. www.wvdemocrats.com • A U.S. citizen. WV State Republican Party (304) 768-0493 • At least 17 years old and 18 before the next general election. PO Box 2711 Charleston, WV 25330 • Not currently under conviction for a felony, including probation or www.wvgop.org parole, or a court ruling of mental incompetence. (Voting rights are restored when the term of conviction ends.)

14 ] Charleston Information Guide HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

After the American Revolutionary War, pioneers began making The Northern hold on Charleston and most of the western part of their way out from the early settlements. Many slowly migrated into Virginia created an even larger problem. Virginia already had the western part of Virginia. Capitalizing on its many resources seceded from the Union, but the western part was under Union made Charleston an important part of Virginia and West Virginia control. The issue of statehood was raised. So amid the tumultuous history. Today, Charleston is the largest city in the state and the Civil War, West Virginia officially became a state through Presidential state capital. Proclamation. Abraham Lincoln declared the northwestern portion Charleston's history is rich and vibrant, going back more than of Virginia to be returned to the Union, and on June 20, 1863, West 200 years. The Bullitt family was deeded 1,250 acres of land near Virginia became the 35th state. the mouth of the Elk River in 1774. The land was later sold to Col. While it is often said that West Virginia separated from Virginia George Clendenin in 1786. The first permanent settlement, Fort because of differing views on slavery, the real driving factor was Lee, was built in 1788 by Col. Clendenin and his company of economics. The heavy industries in the North, particularly the steel Virginia Rangers. This structure occupied the area that is now the business of the upper Ohio River region, were dependent on the intersection of Brooks Street and Kanawha Boulevard. Historical coal available from western Virginia mines. Federalized military units conjecture indicates that Charleston is named after Col. Clendenin's were dispatched from Ohio to western Virginia early in the war to father, Charles. Charles Town was later shortened to Charleston to secure access to the coal mines and transportation resources. avoid confusion with another Charles Town in present day West Although the state now existed, settling on a state capital location Virginia. proved to be difficult. For several years, the capital of West Virginia Six years later, the Virginia General Assembly officially established intermittently traveled between Wheeling and Charleston. In 1877, Charleston. On the 40 acres that made up the town in 1794, 35 however, state citizens voted on the final location of their capital. people inhabited seven houses. Charleston was chosen and eight years later, the first capitol Charleston is part of Kanawha County. The origin of the word building was opened. Kanawha comes from a West Indian Arawak word for dugout. In After a fire in 1921, a hastily built structure was opened but fact, a two-story jail was the first county structure ever built, with the burned down in 1927. However, a Capitol Building Commission, first floor literally dug into the bank of the Kanawha River. Daniel created by the Legislature in 1921, authorized construction of the Boone, who was commissioned a lieutenant colonel of the present capitol. Architect Cass Gilbert designed the buff Indiana Kanawha County militia, was elected to serve in 1791 in the Virginia limestone structure, in the Italian Renaissance style, that was to House of Delegates. As told in historical accounts, Boone walked all have a final cost of just under $10 million. After the three stages of the way to Richmond. construction were completed, Governor William G. Conley By the early 1800s, salt brines were discovered along the dedicated the capitol on June 20, 1932. Kanawha River and the first salt well was drilled in 1806. This Charleston was now the center for state government. Natural created a prosperous time and great economic growth for the area. resources, such as coal and gas, along with railroad expansion also By 1808, 1,250 pounds of salt were being produced a day. An area contributed to growth. New industries, such as chemical, glass, adjacent to Charleston, Kanawha Salines, now Malden, would timber and steel migrated to the state, attracted by the area's become the top salt producer in the world. In 1818, Kanawha Salt natural resources. There was a huge amount of new construction in Company, first trust in United States, went into operation. Charleston. A number of those buildings, including churches and Captain James Wilson, while drilling for salt, struck the first office buildings, still stand in the heart of downtown along and natural gas well in 1815. It was drilled at the site that is now the bordering Capitol Street. junction of Brooks Street and Kanawha Boulevard (near the During World War II, the first and largest synthetic rubber plant in present-day state capitol complex.) In 1817, coal was first the U.S. opened near Charleston, providing vital products to the discovered and gradually became used as the fuel for the salt war effort. After the war ended, Charleston was on the brink of works. The Kanawha salt industry declined in importance after some significant construction. One of the first during this period was 1861, the advent of World War I brought a demand for chemical Kanawha Airport (now Yeager Airport, named after General Charles products. The chemicals needed were chlorine and caustic acid, Yeager), which was perhaps one of the most phenomenal which could be made from salt brine. engineering accomplishments of its time. Built in 1947, the The town continued to grow until the Civil War began in 1861. construction encompassed clearing 360 acres on three The state of Virginia seceded from the Union, and Charleston was mountaintops moving more than nine million cubic yards of earth. divided between Union and Confederate loyalty. On September 13, In 1956, President Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway 1862, the Battle of Charleston was fought. Although the Act. Charleston became part of that system in the 1960s when Confederate Army was victorious, occupation of the city was short- three major interstate systems—I-64, I-77 and I-79 were lived. Union troops returned just six weeks later and stayed through constructed, all converging in the heart of Charleston. These roads the end of the war. provide convenient access to Midwestern, Northeastern and continued on page 15

Charleston Information Guide [ 15 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Southern cities. Charleston is within a day's drive of 60 percent of 2003 marked the opening of the Clay Center for the Arts & the U.S. population. Sciences. The center includes The Maier Foundation Performance In 1983, the Charleston Town Center Mall opened its doors. It Hall, The Walker Theatre, The Avampato Discovery Museum and an was the largest urban mall east of the Mississippi River, boasting art museum. Also on site is the ElectricSky™ Theater, which is a three stories of shops and eateries. Downtown revitalization began 175 seat combination planetarium and dome-screen cinema. in earnest in the 1980s as well. Funds were set aside for Movies shown at the theatre include educational large format (70 streetscaping and many small businesses began to open. Today, mm) presentations, and are often seen in similar Omnimax theatres. Capitol Street, Hale Street, and other bordering streets are an Planetarium shows are staged as a combination of pre-recorded eclectic mixture of restaurants, shops, businesses and services that and live presentations. many call the centerpiece of downtown. Many festivals and events were also incorporated into the The new Robert C. Byrd Federal Building, Haddad Riverfront calendar, including Multifest, Vandalia Festival, a 4th of July Park and Capitol Market are just a few new developments that have celebration with fireworks at Haddad Riverfront Park, and the helped growth in the downtown area during the 1990s. Charleston already popular Sternwheel Regatta, which was founded in 1970, also became known as one of the premiere healthcare spots in the provided a festive atmosphere for residents to enjoy. state. Along with ambitious thinking, plans for even new Charleston West Virginia has one central agency for its economic entertainment and business venues kept Charleston moving along development efforts, the Charleston Area Alliance. The Alliance is at a steady pace. continuing to work with local leaders and the business community to build the economy of the area and revitalize its downtown.

WEATHER

Charleston has a yearly climate with four distinct seasons. It falls usually differ from other winters in Charleston. Along with on the line between a humid continental climate and a humid Huntington, the city is usually the last place in the state to receive subtropical climate, which is primarily based on differences in any amount of snowfall. Snowfall can occur from anytime in late elevation. Charleston's average temperatures are usually warmer November or early December to mid March, with the most amounts than the rest of West Virginia (except Huntington), due to the city during January. It is very rare for a major snowstorm to hit the area, being west of the higher elevations. Spring starts in early April with and it is also rare to have a foot or more of snow at a time in cool nights and very warm days. Temperatures warm up Charleston. Charleston does experience a considerable amount of considerably in late May, with warm summer-like days. Summertime rain which is spread out over the course of the entire year. temperatures can be very hot, with daytime highs around 90 Thunderstorms can be quite frequent during the summer months, degrees, along with high humidity. Autumn days are usually warm and much of the winter precipitation is in the form of gentle drizzling until late October, however nights will start to get cooler. Winters rains. The driest period tends to be late during the autumn months.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Avr. High 57.8 61.0 68.6 75.8 82.7 87.6 90.2 89.0 86.9 77.2 69.5 61.6 Avr Low 37.7 40.0 47.5 53.9 62.9 69.1 72.7 72.2 67.9 56.3 47.2 40.7 Avr. Precipitation 3.5 3.3 4.3 2.7 4.0 6.4 6.8 7.2 4.7 2.9 2.5 3.2 Temperature in degrees F, precipitation in inches

16 ] Charleston Information Guide RECREATION

Community Centers Spectator Sports Kanawha City Community Center (304) 348-6484 West Virginia Power Baseball (304) 344-2287 3511 Venable Avenue 601 Morris Street, Suite 201 Charleston, WV 25304 Charleston, WV 25301 Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (304) 348-6404 South Atlantic League 314 Donnally Street Appalachian Power Park Charleston, WV 25301 www.wvpower.com North Charleston Community Center (304) 348-6884 West Virginia Wild Basketball 2009 7th Avenue International Basketball League Charleston, WV 25312 South Charleston Community Center South Charleston Community Center (304) 744-4731 www.westvirginiawildhoops.com 601 Jefferson Rd. West Virginia Chaos Soccer (304) 932-4152 South Charleston, WV USL Premier Development League Vandalia Community Center (304) 348-8140 Schoenbaum Soccer Field 613 Clifton Rd. 224 Capitol Street Charleston, WV Charleston, WV 25301 www.westvirginiachaos.com Golf Courses Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center (304) 776-1000 Berry Hills Country Club (304) 744-8790 #1 Greyhound Drive 1 Berry Hills Drive Nitro, WV 25313 Charleston, WV 25314 www.tristateracetrack.com Cato Park (304) 348-6859 Pick your own way to win with live greyhound racing and 100 Baker Lane simulcast/off-track betting or try gaming with coin drop slots or Charleston, WV 25302 video slots. Mardi Gras addition adds 57,000 sq. feet of gaming Coonskin Golf Course (304) 341-8013 action. West Virginia's premiere entertainment attraction. Spacious 2000 Coonskin Drive climate controlled clubhouse and grandstand seating. Group Charleston, WV 25311 package available.

Charleston Information Guide [ 17 THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Attractions a poem by Vachel Lindsey. Other buildings in the Complex are the Charleston's doorway opens to reveal myriad attractions just a Cultural Center, the Governor's Mansion and the Holly Grove short drive away. Mansion. 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East. Spending time in Charleston is the perfect way to relax and enjoy Fenton Glass (304) 375-7772 yourself. Surrounding Charleston, however, are even more Another highly prized glass collectible is Fenton Glass. Fenton is wonderful attractions. Check out some of the most popular ones the largest manufacturer of handmade colored glass in the country. close by the Charleston area. Visit the Fenton Glass museum that features glass made from 1907 to 1980, including the famous Carnival glass. A gift shop features Avampato Discovery Museum (304) 344-8035 300 Leon Sullivan Way first-quality, hard-to-find and retired pieces. Regularly scheduled Charleston, WV 25314 tours allow visitors to watch as craftsmen create pieces. Fenton Art ww.avampatodiscoverymuseum.org Glass is about an hour and a half's drive away in Williamstown. Located inside the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences-WV, the Governor's Mansion (304) 558-3588 Avampato Discovery Museum features two floors of interactive 1716 Kanawha Blvd E science exhibits, a world class art museum, and the ElectricSky Charleston, WV 25305 (TM) Theater showing large format films, laser shows and Designed by Charleston architect Walter F. Martens and planetarium shows. constructed in 1924, the 30-room executive mansion is a traditional Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine Georgian colonial structure with a hospitable, homelike, yet dignified (304) 256-1747 air harmonizing perfectly with the other buildings in the Capitol Explore an authentic coal mine! Ride a "man trip" car that will Complex. The ground floor contains state rooms featuring exquisite guide you through 1,500 feet of underground passages that have antiques and fine detailing while the second floor serves as the been restored. Find out about mining low seam coal from its earliest governor's private residence. manual stages to modern mechanized operation. Beckley Hatfield-McCoy Trails (304) 752-3255 Exhibition Coal Mine is listed on the National Register of Historic Whether it's riding an ATV, motorcycle, mountain bike, horses or Sites. While there, also check out the gift shop, coal company just hiking, you can find a way to experience these exciting trails in house and the superintendent's house. About an hour's drive from the Appalachian Mountains. Hatfield-McCoy Trails is one of only 16 Charleston on I-77S at exit 44, then follow signs. Season is from trail systems nationwide that is designated as a National Millennium April 1-November 1. Be sure to bring a jacket! The temperature is Trail. Outfitters and equipment rentals, guided tours, and packages a constant 58 degrees inside the mine. are available. Blenko Glass (304) 743-9081 State Capitol Building Discover the ancient art of glass blowing and find yourself The largest state capitol dome in the country graces this stone surrounded by beauty and fine workmanship at Blenko Glass. and marble Italian Renaissance structure. The 20th century classical Many famous buildings and museum have been customers of architecture, designed by the famous Cass Gilbert features a 23 Blenko Glass. Decorative glassware is on display in the visitor’s karat gold-leafed dome, and its landscaped grounds display many center and is available for purchase in the factory outlet display historical statues. area. Blenko also has a museum with a designer's corner and an Tamarack (304) 256-6843 exhibit of artistry. Observation deck tours are available to watch Showcases a statewide collection of art and hand-made crafts. craftsmen at work. Tamarack carries more than 20,000 different products. Plus Camden Park (304) 522-8320 observe weavers, artists, sculptors, glass-blowers and other Join the fun at West Virginia's only amusement park. Camden scheduled demonstrators as they work. Exceptional cuisine is Park has been family fun for 98 years. Enjoy the carousel, Dodgem prepared by The Greenbrier. WV specialty foods are also available. cars, Log Flume or the Big Dipper, various games or a favorite A 178-seat theatre is the perfect venue for poetry readings, movies, snack. Camden Park is located about an hour from Charleston on recitals, drama and more. Less than an hour's drive from I-64W. Charleston. Capitol Complex (304) 558-4839 West Virginia Cultural Center (304) 558-0220 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East Charleston, WV 25311 Charleston WV 25305-0300 West Virginia's State Capitol Building and other state office This magnificent Center houses exhibits in the State Museum buildings on beautifully manicured lawn and grounds with numerous and research materials in the Archives. The State Theatre features fountains and several historic statues including; Stonewall Jackson, concerts, films, lectures, and theatrical presentations and Mountain Booker T. Washington, Union Soldier, Union Mountaineer and Stage performances. Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln Walks At Midnight statue, dedicated in 1974, faces the Kanawha River and is a sculptural translation of

18 ] Charleston Information Guide THINGS TO SEE AND DO

West Virginia Veterans Memorial Plaza Shopping 1900 Kanawha Boulevard Currently there are 2 shopping malls in the city of Charleston. The Charleston, WV 25305-0009 (304) 558-0230 largest mall in the city and the state is the Charleston Town Center www.wvculture.org Mall. Opening in 1983, the Town Center Mall is a 3 story shopping A two-story monument on State Capitol grounds. Four monoliths and dining facility, with 130 specialty stores. Macy's, Sears and J.C. dedicated to World War I and II, Korea and Vietnam display names Penny are the mall's current anchor stores. There are also 6 major of the war dead within the sanctuary of the classically styled restaurants located on street level and 12 fast food restaurants Memorial. Ramped walkways over the oval reflecting pool affords representing the food court, located on the third floor of the mall. easy access to the sanctuary display of some 10,000 names. The other mall in the city is the Kanawha Mall located in the Kanawha City neighborhood of Charleston. This mall is much Culture and Performing Arts smaller in size compared to the Town Center Mall, with Elder- Charleston has many performing arts groups ranging from Berman and Gabriel Brothers as anchor stores. nonprofessional community groups to the professional with There are 3 major shopping plazas located in nearby South outstanding guest artists. These groups include: Charleston Ballet; Charleston, including Southride Center, Dudley Farms Plaza and Charleston Chamber Music Society; Charleston Civic Chorus; The Shopps at Trace Fork. Charleston Community Music Association; Charleston Light Opera Charleston Town Center Mall (304) 345-9525 Guild; Children's Theatre of Charleston; Friends of Old Time Music 3000 Charleston Town Center and Dance (FOOTMAD); Kanawha Players; The West Virginia Youth Charleston, WV 25389 Symphony Orchestra. For more information, call Fund for the Arts www.charlestontowncenter.com at (304) 345-0775. Kanawha Mall (304) 925-4921 Charleston Stage Company (304) 343-5272 MacCorkle Ave SE 123 Summers St Charleston, WV 25301 Charleston, WV 25301 This multicultural theatre company performs theatre productions for West Virginia audiences. For more than a decade, Charleston Stage Company has been doing experimental, avant garde plays, new drama and European and American classic dramas. Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences (304) 561-3500 1 Clay Square Charleston, WV 25301 Considered one of the most ambitious cultural and educational undertakings in West Virginia. Established to serve the arts, sciences and technology by bringing together educational exhibits and programs and performances in dance and music. This state-of- the-art facility includes a Science Center with a Planetarium, a 1,880-seat Performance Hall, Virtual Education Center, art museum, Avampato Discovery Museum, and exhibit galleries. Mountain Stage (304) 343-5272 123 Summers St Charleston, WV 25301 West Virginia Public Radio's live two-hour arts performance show is broadcast almost every Sunday at 6:00 pm at the Cultural Center Theater in the State Capitol Complex. The show features nationally and internationally recognized musicians. Mountain Stage is one of the most popular programs offered to Public Radio International's member stations, and is heard on 130 PRI stations nationwide. West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (304) 561-3570 www.wvsymphony.org Season runs from September through April with a schedule of symphonic and pop performances.

Charleston Information Guide [ 19 MEDIA

Newspapers Local Television Charleston Newspapers (304) 348-4800, (800) WVA-NEWS 8 WCHS ABC 1001 Virginia St. E. 11 WVAH FOX Charleston, WV 25301 13 WOWK CBS www.cnpapers.com 17 W14CU HSN The Charleston Gazette is the largest circulation newspaper in 21 WQCW CW West Virginia, published Monday through Friday in the morning. The 23 WSAZ NBC Charleston Daily Mail is the city's weekday afternoon newspaper, 23 WSAZ-DT NBC published Monday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, the 29 WLPX “i” Charleston Gazette and the Daily Mail combine to produce a 33 WPBY PBS newspaper titled the Charleston Gazette-Mail. 34 WPBY-DT PBS AM Radio 35 WVAH-DT FOX 36 W36CR TBN 580 WCHS news/talk/sports 39 WLPX-DT “i” 680 WKAZ oldies 41 WCHS-DT ABC 950 WVTS news/talk 45 W45AZ TBN 1080 WOKU sports 1240 WBES sports 1300 WJYP religious 1360 WMOV oldies 1400 WVCR country 1410 WSCW| religious 1490 WSWW sports

FM Radio 88.5 WVPN NPR 89.3 WWLA new 89.5 WLKV contemporary Christian 90.5 WMLJ religious 90.7 WLKV contemporary Christian 90.9 WXAF religious 91.5 WPJW new 91.9 W220BY religious 92.3 WYRC-LP community, pop 92.5 WZAC classic country 93.3 WKVW contemporary Christian 94.5 WZJO modern rock 96.1 WKWS country 97.5 WQBE country 98.3 WCEF country 98.7 WRVZ CHR-rhythmic 99.9 WVAF ac 100.3 WAFD southern gospel 100.9 WMXE hot ac 101.7 WYAP-LP community 101.9 WVOW ac, sports 102.7 WVSR CHR-pop

20 ] Charleston Information Guide Charleston Information Guide [ 21 MOVING

SMOOTH TRANSITIONS

Choosing a Moving Company Have at least three movers come to your home and give estimates. Be sure to ask whether the estimates are binding, non-binding or guaranteed not to exceed a certain amount. Obtain each company’s assigned Motor Carrier number and call the USDOT at (202) 358-7000 to determine if they are registered and have the proper insurance on file. Ask your prospective moving company for a copy of the “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet. Relocation to Your New City If You’re one of the 40 million Americans planning to move this year, you need a strategy. Starting early and staying organized is the key to a painless move. In general, follow the pre- move checklists provided. These lists will help you track the myriad details needed to facilitate your move. If you are selling your present home and/or buying a new one, refer to the home inspection checklist and the mortgage glossary. If you are planning to rent in your new city, read the article on rental tips. And, if you are undecided, we hope the article entitled “Buying vs. Renting” will help you assess the pros and cons of each. Whatever decisions you face based on your particular circumstances, stay positive, calm and organized. And, don’t forget to make some time just for yourself. It will probably save you a lot of time in the long run! Packing Tips • Sort your belongings. If you don’t use an item, dispose of it. • Label boxes indicating what they contain and in which room they should be placed. • Drain gas and oil from power tools so they will not leak; dispose of all volatile or corrosive chemicals. • After cleaning out the refrigerator and/or freezer, place pieces of charcoal in them to prevent mildew. • Pack important records in easily accessible place. Include medical, dental, school, insurance, credit card and tax records. • Use strong, clean containers with lids secured with twine or tape. • Put no more than 50 pounds in each container. • Place heavy items towards the bottom of the containers; lighter items on top. • Protect all finished surfaces from scratching by wrapping them in paper. • Use plenty of cushioning such as shredded or crumpled paper to protect belongings in boxes. Remember that newspaper ink can rub off and stained items packed with it. • Pack items tightly to avoid shifting during move. • Fragile items, like china, should be packed in reinforced boxes or in special boxes with compartments. • Individually wrap and cushion electrical appliances. • Make sure liquids and foodstuffs are placed in carefully sealed containers. Wrap and pack kitchenware tightly to prevent damage.

22 ] Charleston Information Guide SMOOTH TRANSITIONS

• Chests and dressers should not be overloaded since glued where these boxes go. This way, movers will be directed to the furniture joints correct rooms if you’re not available to tell them where to put could collapse. each box. Unusually shaped or valuable items should be crated or moved • Make a detailed floor plan for where you want things to go in your by you and not the movers. Easily crushed items should be new home. Photocopy it so you can tack up copies in every room individually boxed and cushioned. for the movers. You should not remove home fixtures such as window treatment • Take snapshots of wall units and shelves, so you know how hardware, towel racks and electrical fixtures. Unless your sales things were arranged on them. agreement specifically states otherwise, such items are usually Settling Into Your New Home considered legally part of your residence.Let the moving company • Start by making the beds. Bedding tends to be bulky and pack furniture, mirrors and artwork to prevent damage. eliminating lots of boxes quickly and easily will be encouraging. Stay Organized • Unpack and organize children’s belonging’s next.. Young children Here are some basic tips to help make moving less traumatic: will quickly become restless without familiar things. Remember to • Pack an “Immediate Box” or an overnight suitcase with the position storage hooks and shelves that children will be using necessities you’ll be needing right away. Don’t forget to include within their reach. medicines and a first aid kit, toilet paper, tissue, and paper • Next, tackle the kitchen. This job will go much faster if each box towels. has been specifically labeled as to its contents. Simply labeling • Pack an “Immediate Kitchen” box including trash bags, the “Kitchen” doesn’t help you prioritize which box to unpack first. coffee pot or tea kettle, toaster, plastic silverware, paper plates, • Stay positive. Getting settled into your new home can seem styrofoam cups and some non-perishable snacks, such as overwhelming unless you look at it as a series of small projects. crackers, peanut butter, dried fruit. This way, there will be some • Congratulate yourself! You accomplished a lot today! instant sustenance while you get organized. • Affix colored labels to the moving boxes according to destination. Put the same-color labels or signs on the door of the rooms

Charleston Information Guide [ 23 24 ] Charleston Information Guide WHAT’S ALL THE TALK ABOUT. YOU PACK, THEY DRIVE MOVING?

Moving Decisions Save Time and Money Are you faced with an upcoming job relocation? With so many The “you pack, they drive” moving alternative saves you the options for moving your household items, it can be a difficult trouble of driving an unfamiliar vehicle as well as the stress and decision to determine which service best fits your moving needs. difficulty during a long-distance drive. Since the estimates provided Also, with a limited relocation budget from your employer to cover for this service are based on volume (space) and not weight, you will your moving costs, finding a service that complements your avoid unexpected higher moving costs and hidden fees associated pocketbook is important as well. While hiring a professional moving with other full-service moving companies. Unlike a rental truck, the company may be time-saving, the cost for full-service moving could normal moving expenses such as fuel, taxes, tolls, and unexpected be several thousand dollars. A recent trend in the moving industry costs such as flat tires and engine blowouts are covered by the is the do-it-yourself moving option. Most people associate do-it- service provider. yourself with the truck rental option; however, the “you pack, they Loading Service Options drive” moving alternative is becoming increasingly popular. The cost savings of using the “you pack, they drive” service New Moving Alternative largely result from packing and loading your trailer. Some customers With this type of service, you are expected to pack and load may not have the physical ability or manpower to pack and load your items in an adequately-sized commercial trailer. You are given their own trailer. This problem is relatively easy to solve—simply up to two business days to pack and load your goods The cost of check with one of the packing and loading companies suggested the move is controlled by the customer because this service allows by the “you pack, they drive” service provider. You can locate you to pay for only the spaced used in the trailer. Once you have packing and loading assistance in both your origin and destination completed the packing and loading process, the trailer is picked up cities By combining the “you pack, they drive” service with local by the local dispatch office. The trailer is then transported by a loading and unloading assistance, you can save money versus professional driver to your destination. You will receive an estimated using a full-service moving company. arrival time for delivery of your goods and will also have the ability to The Choice is Yours track your goods during the transit of your move. Upon arrival at During your search for the best moving option for your your new home, the trailer is delivered at the appointed time and upcoming job relocation, consider the “you pack, they drive” you will unpack and unload your goods. The local dispatch office moving option and know that you are in control of every aspect of will then come and remove the empty trailer. your move. You will not only save time and money, you will experience less stress and headache during an already stressful part of your life.

Charleston Information Guide [ 25 PRE-MOVE CHECKLIST

One Month Before Two Weeks Before

 Take Inventory. Decide what to keep and what to get rid of.  Notify Phone Company: Your new local phone company should be notified of your move no sooner than 30 business  Reserve a rental truck or select a moving company. Look for days prior to move, and no later than 5 business days before rental trucks and moving companies in local brochures, yellow moving. The service representative will run a quick credit check pages, or through your rental agent/ real estate broker. and assign you a new telephone number.  Make a moving file for important documents, such as family  Notify Utilities: The electric and gas service companies should medical and dental records, school records, legal documents be contacted at least two weeks before your move. The old and titles, banking and financial statements, stock and bond service will need your move out date and you should request certificates, tax returns, birth certificates and insurance the return of any deposits at this time. The new service will documents. Include all receipts – many expenses are tax need your move in date to determine when service will be deductible. turned on or transferred to your name. You can inquire if they  Make any car rental, airline or hotel arrangements. have a billing plan to balance out of season differences by paying a set amount each month. If moving into an apartment,  Gather moving supplies such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap and check with the property manager to see if service was left on paper for wrapping. before you call the utility companies. Write down the emergency numbers to call in event of a problem or outage.  Post Office: A week before you move, you should stop by your local post office to fill out a change of address cards.  Banks: (checking accounts, investments, etc.): Before you Correspondence cards are also available to send to various move to your new city, make sure all existing accounts in your companies such as credit card companies, magazine old bank are closed. Find a new bank to fill your personal publishers and any other organizations that should be needs and open accounts, order checks and obtain direct informed of your move. The mail will be forwarded to your new deposit forms if applicable. home for a full year. After a year, the mail will be returned to the sender with your new address stamped on it. You can get an  Find a new doctor and dentist and have your family’s medical official change form at the local post office or on the Internet at records transferred to them. www.usps.gov/movernet.  Refill any prescription medications which must be taken  Credit Card Companies: Immediately notify all your credit card regularly and arrange to have those prescriptions transferred to companies of your move. Keeping an individual file on each your new city. one makes this process much easier. We suggest using the  Arrange to register your children in their new school(s). Contact correspondence cards offered at the post office in addition to their current school(s) to have their records forwarded. requesting in writing that they send you a letter of confirmation. It is also recommended to make a follow up call.

 Purchase Insurance: If you are moving from out of state and are insured by a fairly large company, they will most likely have an office in the city you are moving to. If you need to find a new company, it is important to get homeowners insurance at least one month before the move. Those moving to an apartment need to contact the insurance company two weeks before the move. If you have large amounts of jewelry and/or furs coats it’s important to contact the agency as soon as possible since you will be needing additional coverage.

 Remember to request the return of any security deposits.

26 ] Charleston Information Guide PRE-MOVE CHECKLIST

One Week Before Moving Day

 Confirm any travel plans or reservations.  Early on moving day, reserve a large place for the moving truck to park. Mark off an area with cones or chairs. If you need to  Finish packing and make sure all boxes are clearly labeled. obtain parking permission from your apartment complex  Subscribe to the local newspaper and visit the Chamber of manager or the city, do so in advance. Commerce in your new city for additional community  Before work starts, walk through the house with the movers information. and describe the loading order. Show them items you intend to  Change of Address Notification: You will need to notify the transport yourself. You should have these items grouped in an Postal Service that you are moving. It is now possible to do so area prior to the movers arriving. Remain on site to answer the without visiting the post office. Go to website listed above. For movers’ questions and to provide special instructions. the fee of $1.00 you may fill out the address change  Walk through your home and make sure that everything was information online and receive an email confirmation. Or you loaded. Make sure you have the keys to your new home. may choose to print the form and mail it to your local post office. US Postal Service, www.usps.com  Remember that professional movers expect to be paid in full before your goods are unloaded. Check for damage, as items  Notify IRS: You will also need to notify the IRS that you have are unloaded and report any problems right away. moved. This will ensure you receive your IRS refund and/or any other correspondence. To change your address with the IRS,  Unless the company’s policy prohibits the acceptance of complete a Form 8822 (PDF), Address Change Request. This gratuities, it is customary to tip each mover. $20 is a good is available on the IRS website. IRS, www.irs.gov amount; you may want to tip more or less based on the service you received. One Day Before  If you are moving yourself and getting help from friends, make  sure you create a task list. Be sure to have everything packed Pick up your rental truck or confirm your move with the moving before your help arrives. It is natural for people to work in pairs, company. but you should consider each person’s physical ability and  Make sure you and your movers have the directions to your health status. Plan to provide beverages and food for your new home. Plan your travel so that you will be there to greet volunteers. Load the truck according to the directions your them and unlock your home. Have a backup plan in case one truck rental agency gave you, and make sure that you of you gets delayed. understand how to operate and drive the rental truck before you leave the agency.  Obtain the driver’s cell phone number and give him/her yours so you can stay in touch in case one of you is delayed.

 Ask what form of payment the movers will accept (check, money order, certified check, travelers checks) and make necessary arrangements.

Charleston Information Guide [ 27 RELOCATING YOUR PET

Your coffee is finally brewing after what seemed like an endless Farfetched? Not really. Pets are probably most overlooked when search through the boxes left by the moving company. The disk it comes to relocating. Most people just expect their pets to wake jockey on the radio reads the weather forecast and you learn that it up completely adapted to their new surroundings as if nothing is 70 degrees outside with an expected high of 75. Your company changed. Although this is true for many pets, just as many find doesn’t even have to gave you a raise to move here. relocating to be traumatic. Furthermore, most people wait until their Just as you start thinking that everything is proceeding smoothly pet is ill before finding a new veterinarian. and that your new city really does have a lot to offer, you realize What should you do then for your pet when relocating? Actually Prince, your four-year old Great Dane, isn’t acting right. Now what? the place to begin is in your hometown before you move. Speak to Is he really sick? Homesick? What’s worse is that you don1t know your own veterinarian and tell him/her where you are moving and where the closest veterinarian is located and, of course, he or she ask his/her advice. In most cases, this alone will be sufficient to find can’t be as good as Dr. Morris…and Prince just loved Dr. Morris. out what is necessary to prepare your pet for transition. Further, people will be surprised how often their veterinarian can recommend someone in the area where they are moving. Whether or not this person will actually become your new veterinarian is not as important as the peace of mind that the recommendation is from someone you trust. Finally, don’t wait until your pet is ill before looking for a veterinarian. This is an extremely emotional time and nothing can be more traumatic than having to find a veterinarian in the midst of a crisis. It is obvious, then, that you should find a new veterinarian before that first crisis occurs so that when the need arises, you will be prepared. How do you go about finding a new veterinarian in a new city? The best place to begin is simply the NewMarket Services Information Guide. Location is an important factor, as many pets don1t travel well and, in the case of emergency, distance may be a factor in receiving timely treatment. After making a list of local veterinary clinics, take the time to go visit them. Talk to the staff. Ask about office hours, fees, whether appointments are required, and what services are available. Also, ask if it is possible to talk to the doctor so that you can introduce yourself and at least have a first impression to help you make your choice. Finally, ask your neighbors which veterinarians they take their pets to and why. Then, of course, it’s your decision, but at least you have gathered some information on which to base your decision. All dogs should be vaccinated for the possibly fatal disease Parvovirus. Remember to NEVER leave your pet in a car in hot weather, as heat conditions in cars can quickly become fatal to animals.

28 ] Charleston Information Guide

MOVING WITH CHILDREN

REINFORCE THE POSITIVES

et family members focused on and involved in the process of moving. Hold a family meeting to discuss why, where, when and how the family will move. Encourage Geveryone to ask questions and express feelings. If possible, drive the family to see the new home and take a tour of the new neighborhood schools, shops and parks. Take photos or videotape the new house and neighborhood. Make lists for each older child of things to do to prepare for the move and assign them a special task or two. For example, they can read and inform other family members about the area history, landmarks, special events and amusements. Help children prepare for the move by having them assist with packing. Let them pack a box of special clothes, toys or books they would like readily accessible at their new home. Let each family member help plan how to set up his or her bedroom. Have them help select paint or wallpaper. Let them share ideas how to arrange the furniture. When the move takes place, set up the children’s rooms first. Choosing A School One of the most satisfying experiences a family can have is finding a school that fits its needs. That school will “feel right” because its administrators, teachers, and parents are part of a strong community that shares the family’s educational values. Children are eager to go there because the school program stimulates their curiosity and provides them with outlets for their interests. Parents will be pleased because their involvement in their children’s education will be welcomed and encouraged. In order to find the best school for your child, you should begin by observing your child’s learning habits. Even as preschoolers, children begin to develop different approaches to learning. These inclinations provide strong clues about what kind of school would serve them best. In her book Your Child’s First School, educational consultant Diana Townsend- Butterworth offers these suggestions of things to watch for in determining your child’s orientation to learning: • What does your child enjoy doing? • What excites your child and arouses his or her curiosity? • What seems to be frustrating? • Does your child thrive in a structured environment or seem to prefer one that offers more freedom? • Is your child quiet or rambunctious? • Does he or she prefer to work on projects alone or with other children? • Does he or she have any special interests or abilities? Make a list of answers to these questions as well as taking note of any other characteristics you notice about your child. As you read more about individual schools, and when you visit the ones that interest you, you will be better able to choose a school that suits your child.

30 ] Charleston Information Guide REINFORCE THE POSITIVES

For high school, parents often choose a new school for their Most schools believe parents should have a strong role in their children. This is frequently because their current school goes only children’s education. Being involved in a child’s education through eight grade. As you look for a high school, consider your strengthens the whole family and sends a message to children that child’s learning style as well as his or her interests when deciding education is an important part of their lives. Schools know that the upon a school. Also keep in mind your own family goals, which may way in which parents choose to become active in their children’s involve preparing for college, in making this important choice. schools varies greatly. They provide many different opportunities for What about family expectations? In order to provide a good parental involvement. Most schools have strong parent associations match, a child’s school must also meet a family’s needs. Here again, that organize social events, help coordinate volunteer activitied, and you may want to prepare a list of expectations and use it as a guide provide an organized means of communication between parents in the search for the best school for your child: and school. Each of these encounters strengthens the life of the schools and • What goal do you have for your child’s long-term education? Is creates a community of committed adults supporting the goals of college preparation a priority? the schools and the students. This feeling of community, with adults • How important to you is parental involvement in school activities? and students working together for a common purpose, is one of the • Do you expect the school to have a role in developing a child’s distinguishing strengths of a good schools. character by encouraging respect for adults and peers as well as When you’re new to a community, locating a person or program others in society, including the disadvantaged? to provide child care for you is not the easiest of tasks. Due to • How important is it to you that you have a strong relationship and expanding demand, just finding an opening can be difficult. share a philosophy with other parents at the school? Pinpointing a place that is not too far or too expensive and, most • How interested are you in providing a home setting that gives importantly, a provider whom you trust, may take days or weeks of your child time for homework? persistent phoning and visits. • How important to you is a before-school and after-school Kanawha County School System (304) 348-7770 program? 200 Elizabeth Street Charleston, WV 25311-2119 Before beginning a search for a school, parents should reflect on kcs.kana.k12.wv.us these questions, and their expectations for schools. Parents who The mission of Kanawha County Schools is to provide a high choose schools wisely are pleased after their children enroll quality, world-class education that ensures success for every because the family and the school work in harmony with a common student through excellence in teaching and learning. set of expectations for the youngsters. Admissions directors at schools will gladly connect you with parents of current students so you can make an informed choice for your child.

SELECTING CHILD CARE

When you’re new to a community, locating a person or program school care for your child, a summer camp experience or a program to provide child care for you is not the easiest of tasks. Due to that can accommodate his or her special needs. It will help you in expanding demand, just finding an opening may be difficult. your search to learn more about each type of child care setting. Pinpointing a place that is not too far or too expensive and, most In home importantly, a provider whom you trust, may take days or weeks of Some parents may prefer the one-on-one contact an in-home persistent phoning and visits. care provider can offer, especially for an infant. The International As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child is Nanny Association (INA) recommends that you interview any safe and happy in a child care environment that is fun, educational, prospective hire at least twice and that you conduct a criminal and nurturing. You will need to consider many questions. But you background check, which is usually done by most placement are not alone — an increasing number of parents rely on quality agencies. child care so that they may work. About 70% of parents place their One key to good child care is whether the caregiver can adapt to young children in some type of daily care. Knowing in advance that the needs of each child and family. Not all children of the same age this is not an overnight process makes it a bit less overwhelming. are at the same level of development; each child has unique Types of Child Care character traits. A good caregiver understands these personal and You might like the home-like feel of a family child care home, or developmental differences and creates a program to meet each maybe you want your child to have opportunity to socialize with child’s needs. continued on page 32 peers in a larger child care center. You might be looking for after

Charleston Information Guide [ 31 SELECTING CHILD CARE

Center-Based Care current immunizations; staff should have clear criminal background The most popular type because there are so many options for checks. The facility must be child-proof and all staff members children of all ages. You take your child to a place that is organized should wear disposable gloves when changing diapers. Toys should and staffed specifically to care for a group or groups of children. be disinfected on a regular basis and frequent hand washing should Some types include day care centers, preschool programs, be promoted among the staff and children to minimize the spread before/after school programs. of infection. Day Care Center Preparing Your Child for Child Care If you’re considering a day care center or another group setting, Most young infants, up to seven months, adapt to caring adults you should spend some time observing the center and talking to and seldom have problems adjusting to good child care. Older parents with children in the center. You should also expect that your infants may be upset when left with strangers. They may feel child will be assigned to the same caregiver to promote a sense of separation anxiety, which is a normal part of development for some security and consistency. Inquire about the rate of staff resignations; children. They will need extra time and your support to “get to low staff turnover minimizes the need for young children to know” the caregiver. Some children show changes in behavior repeatedly adjust to new caregivers. when they start child care. Toddlers may cry, pout, refuse to go to Preschool Programs or act angry in other ways. Preschoolers may regress and behave Preschool programs are offered through Head Start, child care like a younger child. They may be more wakeful at night. This centers or local public and private schools. They can be offered as behavior usually goes away after a few days or weeks in high-quality a half-day program for three or four days a week or they can be part child care, just be sure to monitor. of a full day program at a child care center. You may help your child adjust to a new child care arrangement. Before/After School Programs Arrange a visit with in-home caregivers while you are at home or These programs give children additional time and opportunity to when you need child care for a short time. Visit the center or family engage in hands-on enrichment activities in reading, science, math, child care home that you have chosen with your child before art, drama, and specific “safety” topics that include conflict beginning care. Show your child that you like and trust the caregiver. resolution and drug abuse. Most programs offer homework Some children like to carry a reminder of home when they go to assistance and some offer tutoring. Most also provide supervised child care. A family photograph or small toy can be helpful. Talking physical activity and healthy snacks, or even dinner. School age to your child about child care and the caregiver is helpful. Being programs are often provided through local schools, child care prepared makes any new experience easier for children. There also centers, churches, or youth-oriented community organizations. are storybooks about child care that you and your child can read Quality features include opportunities for children to make individual together. (Check with your local library, another great outing for a and group choices about activities, opportunity to improve parent and child) academic skills, spaces for children to relax and rest, well After a child has been in child care, a sudden change in supervised spaces where they can be active, nutritious snacks, and caregivers may be upsetting. This can happen even if the new parental involvement. caregiver is kind and competent. If you are concerned about your Choosing Child Care child's feelings, you may want to arrange a meeting with the In addition to the forms of child care, you want to take into caregiver or ask your pediatrician for advice. Parents need to help account the following factors: the caregivers and the child deal with any changes in the child's • Age and personality of your child. routine at home or child care. High-quality child care helps children • Child care needs of all the children in your family. grow in every way and promotes their physical, social and mental • Location of your workplace, home and child care facility. development. It offers support to working parents. Your pediatrician • Hours you need child care. wants your child to grow and develop with enjoyment in a setting that supports you as a parent. • What you can afford. In the final analysis, locating a child care provider with whom you When you begin your search, start with the telephone. Plan to are confident is well worth the searching. Why? Your child benefits spend a few minutes with each call. Describe your needs and ask greatly from such an arrangement, meeting and interacting with about the program, staff, location, other children in care, and what other children and adults. The child learns and grows from is included in the cost. Make an appointment and visit the center, experience, often times a major step in establishing independence school or home, and plan on spending at least an hour at each and becoming his or her “own person.” And you feel more at ease place. Visit once to observe the children in care and at another time leaving them. outside of regular structured hours to spend time with provider or director. For more information you may want to visit the following website: American Academy of Pediatrics, www.aap.org In any group center, health, safety, and hygiene must be given priority in all settings. All children and staff members should have

32 ] Charleston Information Guide

TYPES OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Community Colleges There are online universities ranging from legitimate distance Community colleges exist for two major purposes. The first is to learning systems to fly-by-night degree-mills. It’s important to serve as a bridge from high school to college by providing courses research a particular institution before deciding to enroll in their for transfer toward a bachelor’s degree. Four out of 10 college- system. Generally, brick-and-mortar schools that also offer online bound high-school graduates start their college education this way. classes are the safest, though there are plenty of fully accredited online universities out there. The second function of community colleges is to prepare students for the job market by offering entry-level career training as Nearly 3 million students are believed to be taking online classes well as courses for adult students who want to upgrade their skills at institutions of higher education in the United States this year. That for the workplace. They often offer programs that are not available number has been growing about 25% a year recently. Now, virtually at four-year schools, like fashion design. all public higher education institutions, as well as a vast majority of private, for-profit institutions, now offer online classes. By contrast, Liberal Arts Colleges only about half of private, nonprofit schools offer them. Liberal arts colleges offer a broad base of courses in the Online schools offer everything from Associate’s degrees to humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Most are private and Doctoral programs with available emphases in everything from focus mainly on undergraduate students. Classes tend to be small Business Administration to Criminal Justice to Nursing. Some and personal attention is available. programs require students to attend some campus classes or Online Learning orientations, but many are delivered completely online. Recent years have witnessed the rise of online degree programs, Online courses generally require a computer with a broadband to allow the busy professional a chance to work at their own pace connection, but are now a serious option for the busy professional. from the comfort of their home on the path to getting a degree. The Public vs. Private costs to students are typically the same as for traditional classes— Public colleges are usually less expensive, particularly for in-state and financial aid is equally available—while the cost to the institution residents. They get most of their money from the state or local can be much less. government. Private colleges rely on tuition, fees, endowments, and other private sources. Private colleges are usually smaller and can offer more personalized attention and often more prestige. West Virginia University Institute of Technology (304) 442-3071 405 Fayette Pke Montgomery, WV 25136 Universities Generally, a university is bigger than a college and offers more majors and research facilities. Class size often reflects institutional size and some classes may taught by graduate students. University of Charleston (304) 357-4750 2300 MacCorkle Avenue Southeast Charleston, WV 25304 (800) 995-GO UC West Virginia State College (304) 766-3000 Rte 25 Institute, WV 25112 Upper Division Upper-division schools offer the last two years of undergraduate study, usually in specialized programs leading to a bachelor’s degree. Students then generally transfer to an upper-division college after completing an associate degree or after finishing a second year of study at a four-year college.

Charleston Information Guide [ 35 DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES

Certificate or Diploma These non-degree offerings generally lead to employment in an occupational field. For example, to enter fields such as computer Full time value. science or teaching, you may first have to get a certificate or diploma. Associate Degree You receive an associate of arts (AA) or associate of science (AS) degree after completing two years of study similar to the first two years of a four-year college. After earning an AA or an AS, you may transfer to a four-year college to complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree. The associate of applied science (AAS) degree is awarded on completion of technological or vocation programs of study. Bachelor’s or Baccalaureate Degree Complete a four- or five-year, full-time program of study (or its part-time equivalent) at a college. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Life-long future. Bachelor of Science (B.S.) are the most common. Combined Bachelor’s/Graduate Degree (or Joint Degree) Imagine building a future solid enough to last Complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s or first-professional a lifetime. Our full-time MBA offers you degree in less than the usual amount of time. In most programs, opportunities and perspectives that can change students apply to the graduate program during their first three years your prospects forever. You will gain the vision, of undergraduate study, and begin the graduate program in their knowledge and skills to succeed, along with a fourth year of college. Successful completion results in awarding of network of relationships in the world of business and institutions. both bachelor’s and graduate degrees. These are sometimes referred to as “4 +1” programs. The program is ranked among top interna- Masters Degree tional MBAs and it is the leader in Italy. These signify more specialized training in a particular field. They are competed after the bachelor’s degree, usually over the course It is offered in Milan, where you will enrich of 2 years for the full time student. your professional and personal life enormously. Doctorates Highly qualified teachers and classmates from These generally signify some significant research in the field, and all over the world will help you develop an are an upper level degree. international open mindset within a rigorous, academic framework.

If you sights are high, why not take the next step and let us help you achieve the future you have imagined.

SDA Bocconi. Knowledge and Imagination. MBA 14 months full -time

Join us at the next international events in New York, Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai. Bocconi

www.sdabocconi.it/meetmba [email protected]

Bocconi SDA SDA School of Management

36 ] Charleston Information Guide PAYING FOR SCHOOL

FAFSA www.fafsa.gov Types of Financial Aid FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form Financial aid may be classified into two types based on the that must be filled out annually by university to determine their criteria through which the financial aid is awarded: merit-based or eligibility for federal financial aid (including grants, loans, and work- need-based. study programs). In addition, most states and schools use Merit-Based information from the FAFSA to award non-federal aid. Merit-scholarships are typically awarded for outstanding The FAFSA consists of numerous questions regarding the academic achievements, although some merit scholarships can student’s finances, as well as those of his or her family; these are also be awarded for special talents, leadership potential and other entered into a formula that determines the Expected Family personal characteristics. Merit scholarships are sometimes Contribution. The amount of the EFC can vary widely, depending on awarded without regard for the financial need of the applicant. a number of factors; for example, one such factor is whether a Athletic scholarships are a form of merit aid that takes athletic talent student has siblings in college at the time. into account. The best place to look for help before you start filling out your Need-Based FAFSA is at your school’s financial aid office. Need-based financial aid is awarded on the basis of the financial Other Sources need of the student. The amount of need based aid is generally FAFSA only scratches the surface of the money available to based off the criteria on the FAFSA. students for school. There are many state and private scholarships Loans out there. The easiest way to find listings of what scholarships that While included in the term “financial aid” Higher Education Loans you may qualify for is by going to a scholarship database online and differ from scholarships and grants in that they must be paid back. doing a search. Some handy sites for this are: They come in several varieties in the United States Lunch-money.com • Federal Student Loans made to students directly: No payments Finaid.org until after graduation, but amounts are quite limited Fastweb.com • Federal Student Loans made to parents: Much higher limit, but Collegeboard.com payments start immediately It’s not recommended that you participate in any website that • Private Student Loans made to students or parents: Higher limits asks you to pay a fee to search for a scholarship; there are many and no payments until after graduation. wonderful free sites available. Getting Your MBA Part-time Getting your MBA may be imperative to you and your career. More than 40% of all graduate students are working adults, so it is possible to balance the rest of your life with your desire to continue your education. You’ll generally spend three to four hours a week with the instructor in a 3-credit class. It’s generally recommended that you spend about 8 additional hours a week studying and preparing for the next classroom session, so 12-15 hrs a week total. So where are you going to find an extra 15 hrs a week? It helps to journal how you do spend your time during the week, and then list priorities. Lower priority items, like watching TV, may take up more time than you realize, and can be shelved so you can continue your education. Re-prioritizing your time is the most crucial step in ensuring you’ll have success on your path to your degree. Make sure you discuss your goals with your boss, friends, and family, so they know what to expect as you add this major commitment to your life.

Charleston Information Guide [ 37

38 ] Charleston Information Guide FITNESS AND HEALTH

IN THE KITCHEN

he fall season brings thoughts of cooler weather, falling leaves and perhaps apple season. Autumn is synonymous with apple harvesting. Apples are grown in all 50 Tstates, so no matter where you have relocated apple picking should be within your reach. Apple picking is a great family activity that allows us to be outdoors and then actually experience the fruits of our labors. It’s a wonderful way to spend the day and when you return home, you won’t be empty handed. Apples are very nutritious. They are great eaten alone as well as a very versatile ingredient. Never peel your apples. Two-thirds of the fiber and lots of antioxidants are found in the peel. One medium apple is about 80 calories and contains no fat or sodium. Here are two of my favorite apple salad recipes. The first I have enjoyed for years. The second is made with the now popular ingredient; pomegranate seeds. When preparing the salads the dressing may be made ahead of time and refrigerated. However for the salad itself; it is best to prepare when you are ready to serve, to avoid the apples turning brown.

Apple Blue Cheese Salad (ABC’s) Pomegranate Apple Salad Dressing Dressing* Combine the following in a glass jar and Combine the following in a food processor shake until sugar dissolves. or blender: 3/4 c olive oil 1/3 c vinegar 1/3 c apple cider vinegar 3/4 c sugar 3 t sugar 1 t salt 1 clove garlic, pressed 1 t dry mustard 1/2 t salt 1/2 small onion, quartered 1/8 t black pepper 1 c Canola oil Salad Pour into a salad bottle, add poppy seeds Toss together: and shake well. 8 c baby lettuce blend 1 1/2 t poppy seeds 4 Granny Smith apples, Salad We should look diced and unpeeled Toss together: 4 oz. crumbled blue cheese 1 Romaine lettuce, chopped for someone to eat 1 c pecans, toasted 1 pomegranate, seeded* 1/2 c dried cranberries and drink with 1 green apple, chopped *You may simplify preparation by using before looking store-bought Poppy Seed Salad dressing and/or fresh pomegranate seeds.

for something to eat Did you know: and drink... • 25 percent of an apple’s volume is air. That is why they float. • China is the leading producer of apples, the U.S. is second. – Epicurus • Archeologists have found evidence that humans have been eating apples since at least 6500 B.C. • Apples are a member of the rose family.

Charleston Information Guide [ 39 FITNESS AND HEALTH

Choosing a Health Club • Does the club offer instruction in a sport or activity that you might Your move is filled with many new challenges. If your life style want to learn (tennis, squash, swimming, etc.)? includes working out a priority will be to find a club that meets your • Does the club offer a variety of leagues? If you want to compete needs. Or a new move may bring the perfect time to implement - is the club affiliated to the right leagues, and does it have teams those healthy lifestyle changes that were on your New Year’s of the right standard for your competencies? Resolution list for the past several years. • Does the club offer a variety of high-quality weight equipment? It Begin your search before you move. Ask your current club for should include free weights, such as barbells and dumbbells, and recommendations or perhaps they even have reciprocity with a club machine weights, you really need both to get a proper workout. in your new location. If you belong to a national chain, chances are • Does the club offer a sufficient number and variety of programs good that you will be able to transfer your membership. for you to achieve other goals (stress management, weight However if you do find yourself looking for a new club, use this management, smoking cessation, social activities, etc.)? check list to help you find the place that will work best for you. • Are there long lines at the equipment, or crowded aerobics When visiting a club use your own observations and question the classes, at the time that you would be using the club? staff and current members. Be sure your new club will be able to • What are the real costs? Make sure you understand all rates, meet your fitness, social, and safety needs. charges and fees because these can vary widely, and many clubs • Is the club clean and well maintained, especially the locker rooms require contracts ranging from a few weeks to a year or more. Be and the shower areas? sure you’re entitled to use all facilities, such as pools and spas at • Are staff members friendly and helpful? Make sure there is always no extra charge. someone available to answer your questions, to show you a new • Is child care available if you need it? exercise, or how to use a piece of equipment. • Is there adequate parking available if you need it? • Does the location for work for you? It’s best to select a club that’s One way to find out whether a club is right for you is to try it out near where you live or work. for a few days. Some clubs offer a special guest pass for • Do fitness staff members have appropriate educational prospective members. But even if you have to pay for a week to try backgrounds and/or certification from nationally recognized it out, it’s better to spend the money than to make a long-term certifying agencies? commitment to a club that doesn’t work out. Try the club during the • Are new members provided with a club orientation and hours you will normally be using it. It will give you a realistic idea of instruction on how to use equipment? what the club environment while you are there. • What age group do you see while visiting? If you are in your 50’s, It’s important to read health club contracts carefully. Don’t do you really want to work out with a group in their 20’s (and vice assume the club offers classes such as aerobics as part of the versa)? Be sure to visit club at the time you will be normally using membership. While some do, others charge extra. If the health club the facilities. requires a long-term commitment, find out whether you’ll be able to • Does the club have the cardiovascular resistance equipment you get a refund if you need to cancel your membership due to a job want and need to achieve your fitness goals? transfer, an injury or if you simply find that the club isn’t working for • Does the club offer sufficient number and variety of programs for you. you to achieve your fitness goals (aerobic, racquet sports, It’s a fact that of every three people who join a health club, only basketball, etc.)? If classes or group activities help to motivate one will work out there 100 days a year. Find a club that you are you and the health club doesn’t offer the classes you need, comfortable with and you will greatly increase your chances of sticking with your exercise program won’t be realistic. being the one of three people that are there more than 100 days a year. NewMarket Services wishes you good health.

40 ] Charleston Information Guide FITNESS AND HEALTH

Choosing a Primary Care Provider Guidelines to Narrow Your Choices One of the most important decisions that you will make in your • Insurance – With the risings costs of health care, be sure your relocation process is choosing a Primary Care Provider for you and insurance will be accepted. your family. Don’t put off the decision until you get sick. Your PCP • Professional credentials - any provider you consider should have will be responsible for approximately 90% of your health care. The graduated from an accredited medical school, and be sure relationship you develop with this health professional can be the key they’re board certified. to keeping illness at bay, and it is your best connection into the rest • Professional affiliations - Your provider should be affiliated with a of the medical system. Your PCP can help you seek appropriate large, well-equipped hospital, either as a staff member or as an consultations with specialists if or when the medical problem is attending physician, a title that carries with it admitting privileges. beyond the realm of his expertise. • Practice arrangements - You may choose a solo practitioner or a A generation ago, people relied on General Practitioners (GPs) for group practice, in which two or more doctors in the same all their medical needs, from treating colds, and backaches to specialty or different specialties share the same office. setting broken arms and delivering babies. The competent GP • Location and office hours - If these aren’t convenient, you may knew the medical histories of every member of a patient’s family have a difficult time making an appointment. because he treated them all. Today, Primary Care Providers are bringing this tradition back with the addition of providing preventive Make a Consultation Visit and Consider the Following health measures. More emphasis is now placed on preventive • Office is clean and the staff is courteous and helpful. medicine. You are now responsible for the health of you and your • You are seen by the doctor within a reasonable time of your family by making informed decisions, improving your diet and appointment or you are given a good explanation for any delay. exercising. A primary care provider (PCP) is a general practitioner • You are not rushed through the visit. The provider listens to you, who sees people of all ages for common medical problems. Your does not interrupt you and encourages you to voice your PCP is often involved in your care for a long time, so it is important concerns about your health. to select someone with whom you will work well. You will want to • The doctor is well-informed about preventive health measures, choose someone that emphasizes wellness and self-care by giving such as nutrition, exercise and the widely recommended use of you the information needed to make healthy lifestyle choices and screening tests. He should be quick to inform you of healthy health care decisions. lifestyle choices. Below are some guidelines to help you make your decision. • You’re comfortable talking to the doctor and the doctor explains Begin by Gathering Some Choices. things so that you can understand. • Before you move ask your current health care provider for a Most importantly, don’t put off the decision until you get sick. If a referral. You can also ask other doctors you respect and see health care problem arises, and you have not yet chosen a provider, regularly. it is usually best to seek non-emergency care from an “urgent care • If you belong to a managed care plan, find out what doctors are center” rather than a hospital emergency room. This will often save affiliated with it. you time and money. However recent years, many emergency • Ask friends, relatives or business associates. Referrals from rooms have expanded their services to include reasonably priced people you know are usually based on trust and confidence in the urgent care within the emergency room itself or an adjoining area— provider. to find out, call the hospital first. • Hospitals usually offer a referral service that can provide you with the names of staff doctors who meet certain criteria you may be seeking, however they will not vouch for the quality of care.

Charleston Information Guide [ 41 FITNESS AND HEALTH

Coping With Change a new community requires finding new sources for familiar services. Did you know that your body and mind sense change as stress? Finding a new hairdresser, barber, drugstore, food market, doctor, Whether you change the place you live or where you work, it all lawyer, cleaner and shoemaker are all necessary. You not only have adds up to stress. The more changes that come at one time, the to locate these services, but you need to determine if you are more stress you experience. satisfied with the quality of the services provided. Forming a Self-Image comfortable working relationship with the service provider adds Your attitudes towards change often depend on your self image more stress to the change itself. and expectations of how difficult it may be. Your self image is the Perhaps your whole lifestyle changes if you are moving from a inner vision of who you are. It is the basis of your every thought, smaller or larger community. With long-distance moves, you will word and action. Moving, with the many changes it entails, offers an have to make new friends and develop a different emotional support excellent opportunity to modify and/or improve your self image system. When these changes are not made through your own through the risks of taking positive action. choices, but are the decisions of a boss or someone in your family, then the stress is even greater. Children have to make changes because of their parents. They need special help and understanding getting settled in school and making new friends. Often, they will have difficulties as they adjust to the new surroundings. Changes produce stress not only within yourself, but also with the people with whom you are close. It may cause you to react differently from your usual behavior. If you are in a relationship or marriage, you may find more tension developing, with less patience or tolerance of the other person. If you live alone, not knowing where to go to make new friends can bring feelings of isolation and loneliness. Creatures of Habit Psychologically, most of us are creatures of habit and quickly develop repetitive patterns that make us feel comfortable and secure. Ever notice that most people find the same seat or section of the commuter train or bus? Drivers usually take the same route every day. We do this in order to reduce stress. The sameness of established behavior develops a sense of control over ourselves and surroundings. By seeking repetitive habits, we save our energy for new events that are either unpredictable or uncontrollable. When change removes the sameness from our lives, we attempt to relieve the tension Some people welcome change as a challenge or an exciting new produced by uncertainty and newness. We look for ways to develop experience. Others may resent the inconvenience and extra effort other familiar patterns. they need to make to re-establish a comfortable routine. Still others Management of Change feel overwhelmed by the unknown and are not sure where to go or To manage change effectively, several simple steps will help you to whom to turn. adjust to the newness and extra effort needed to establish different Often, stress causes old issues, defeats or concerns to patterns in your life. resurface. Perhaps new worries and fears form unexpectedly, or • Organize your time so you can finish the tasks you have planned. you feel tired and fatigued most of the time. Decision making abilities are affected, and you seem to be having less fun and • Have realistic expectations. Do not plan to complete everything enjoyment. These are all telltale signs of stress brought on by within the first few weeks. change. • List your priorities and finish each one before you go on to the When signs of stress affect you, it may be a time of emotional next. transition, indicating old behavior patterns are not as effective as • Provide your body with recreational time and time to relax. they once were. This is often a good time for self-reflection-to look • Trust your first impressions; they are most often right. at what you like in yourself and what you do not like. Periods of change can offer you an opportunity for growth within Stress yourself. Professional consultation may be useful during this period. When you relocate to a new city, all categories of your life are changed. Along with the obvious changes listed above, moving to

42 ] Charleston Information Guide VOLUNTEERING IN YOUR COMMUNITY

One of the best ways to become involved in your new community Many people are reminded of their wish to volunteer during is through volunteering. The benefits of volunteering are many, for holiday seasons, but this is when organizations might have an everyone involved. Ask your employer for advice. Many companies excess of help. If you want to volunteer during the holiday, give employees paid time off to volunteer and will often publicize remember to contact the organization in advance. Otherwise, time their employees’ community service. According to the research your work for the lean season. group Independent Sector, the U.S. volunteer sector is equivalent to Volunteering is fun, leads to learning new skills, meeting 9 million full-time workers. Whether you have an hour or a weekend, interesting people, making new friends, sharing your talents, and if you want to help kids or the environment, there are great keeping in touch with the community in which you live. Whether it is organizations that will excite your particular interest, broaden your important to you to solve a community problem, advance a worthy horizons and fit into your time schedule. cause or to develop as a person, volunteering offers many benefits Don’t forget to include your family. If your children are school age in appreciation for the gift of your time and expertise. chances are there are many opportunities to volunteer at their Once you have chosen an area of interest, how should you go school, or even in their classroom. That is a great way to meet other about involving yourself? See what the Web can do for you. 1-800- parents with children the same age. Clean up a neighborhood park Volunteer.org, a service of the Points of Light Foundation & with your children. Spend a morning at a homeless shelter with your Volunteer Center National Network provides listings of local and children. You’ll find that volunteering is not only a fun family-bonding virtual volunteering as well as contact information for Volunteer experience but a great way to teach children the importance of Centers across the nation. Open the classified section of your local giving back to the community. paper. Check out the bulletin boards in your office. Or just start How you get involved with your community depends on your calling the local agencies you’re interested in. interests, skills and time. Choose something that fits well in to your One of the best ways to make these contacts is to walk right into schedule and makes you excited about working together to help the organization—a library, a shelter, training facility, or a political make a difference. Every person has that capability. Each of us can office—and find out who organizes volunteers. You can tell a lot by right a wrong, fill a plate, visit a shut-in or clean up a park, and that meeting the volunteer coordinator and any volunteers who happen does make the world a better place. to be on duty. While you won’t earn a paycheck for volunteering, There are several things to consider when choosing in what to you will earn valuable experience, a sense of accomplishment, and involve yourself. First of all be selective, think about what matters to the satisfaction that only comes from personally making the world a you, and where you wish to spend your time. If you have certain better place to live. social issues that you feel passionate about, it’s a great place to put your energy. You may have particular skills that will steer you toward a certain organization. Are you willing to explore new opportunities? Volunteering can teach you valuable new skills that you may use in other parts of your life. "You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give." - Winston Churchill

Charleston Information Guide [ 43 44 ] Charleston Information Guide HOUSING

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE…

Rent or Buy? The decision to rent or buy in your new location is dependent upon many considerations unique to your personal situation. Some of the potential factors involve the tax implications, down payment, other investment vehicles, the length of time you are anticipating being in your new location and whether or not your current home has sold. If you decide to buy, should you purchase an existing home or build a new one? Again, many factors have to be considered. Will an existing home need a lot of repair or remodeling to bring it to your standards? What about the difference in the cost of operation and maintenance between new and an existing structure? How should you finance a renovation? Which home will appreciate faster? Will it be difficult to get a construction loan? Is it better to rent for a while to become familiar with neighborhoods in your new city? What about capital gains tax if you don’t close in time? We suggest you seek the advice of a certified financial planner and a realtor to thoroughly clarify your options. These choices can become quite complex. Some Advantages to Renting Whether you’re in your first apartment or a longtime resident, there are many advantages you are afforded by choosing apartment living. Mobility: You enjoy the freedom to move, to accept that better job, to take the vacation you’ve dreamed of. No maintenance: Just relax and delight in the grounds and facilities maintenance technicians keeps attractive for you. Flexibility: You have the ability to increase or decrease your living space without the burden of sales pitches, closing costs, interest rates or the high cost of maintaining a home and property. Location: The choice is yours! Recreation: Chances are, you’ve chosen an apartment community with a swimming pool, tennis court, weight room or sauna. Apartments have the equipment and people to maintain them, which is no small task for the homeowner. No waiting: If you’re like most apartment residents, moving into your apartment was easy and fast. You settled into your new home without lengthy paperwork, a loan approval period or a large financial investment. Your Current Residence As you prepare to move, a big decision may include whether to sell or rent your current property. Ask yourself the following questions as you make this decision. You may also want to ask advice from a real estate agent.

continued on page 46

Charleston Information Guide [ 45 MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

Market Inspect kitchen appliances. Check the stove to see if all burners Is it a seller’s market? Signs include low interest rates and work. Does the range have a hood with a fan? Is the oven self- shortage of homes for sale. How long have similar homes been on cleaning? Is the stove gas or electric? If it is gas, you may have an the market and how long are you willing to let your home be on the extra monthly charge for cooking gas. This would also be true if you market? Or is it a good rental market and do rental units have tenant had a gas clothes dryer in your unit. Check out the waiting lists? Is your property in a trendy area? Desirable areas refrigerator/freezer for storage space. Is there enough counter and typically garner higher rents and seldom have vacancies. cabinet space? Don’t forget to keep an eye out for bugs, especially Financial in a high-rise building. Is this property good for rental income? Can you charge more for Inspect the central air conditioning and heating systems. Ask rent than you pay for mortgage, taxes and upkeep? How will selling other tenants if there is enough heat in the winter. It can be costly if affect your federal and state tax situation? Furthermore, if your you have to buy or rent window air conditioning units. property does not sell quickly, can you afford to keep the home Is there enough storage space? Do you have enough closets for vacant while it’s on the market? If not, do you feel you will be able clothes, linens and general items. Are there built-in shelves and to find a renter on a short-term basis? Are you likely to want to move bookcases for books and DVDs? Do you also get a storage space back into the home some day? that is not adjacent to the unit? Rental Tips Does the building have special amenities such as a swimming Apartment experts say that some detective work is needed to pool, game room, barbecue area, and exercise room or tennis conduct a search that finds the most livable rental residence for the courts? Keep in mind that recreational amenities generally will money. After you have weeded out a good apartment complex from increase your rent. You should consider what features you will really many rent signs and/or listings, scanned the neighborhood you like use. for the best rental possibilities, you will be ready to scrutinize each How is the noise level in the complex? Have neighbors been property and landlord for shortcomings. It is easy for a prospective playing music louder than you prefer? Are you located by a major tenant to gather quick clues about the general care, maintenance of airport, freeway or train tracks? the building, and cleanliness of the area overall. Try to talk to the tenant who is vacating the apartment you are planning to rent. He Do you need an apartment that takes pets? If not, do you want or she can tell you a great deal about the pluses and minuses of to live in an area that does? Do tenants appear to be cleaning up living there. Here are some tips for inspecting the inside of the after their pets? What is the management policy for pet size and apartment: maintenance? Is it clean? Carpet should be cleaned and walls/ceilings should Rental experts suggest that tenants should tour several be freshly painted. Does the apartment have a bad odor? It could apartment complexes before placing a deposit on a unit. The be a tip that the prior tenant had a pet or cooked spicy foods. minimum deposit to hold a unit is usually $100. Prospective renters still need to fill out an application and pay an application fee. This Check room sizes with a floor plan. Make sure the furniture that will hold your unit while your employment, credit and rental histories you will be moving will fit. Is the bedroom near the bathroom? Does are being checked out. This process usually takes 7 to 10 days to the dining room adjoin the kitchen? complete.

46 ] Charleston Information Guide CHOOSING THE RIGHT HOME

Making a final decision and determining which house to make an Property Taxes offer on shouldn’t be taken lightly. The decision should be made Property taxes may vary from one neighborhood to another. This rationally and not guided by emotion. You most likely won’t have the can sometimes affect whether you view a community as a desirable luxury of taking your time on deciding which house you’d like to place to live. Higher property taxes often mean newer and more pursue. However, since it is such a major decision you would like to modern schools, well-maintained roads, and bountiful community base it on factual information. Some broad categories to consider services. are: Schools Appreciation If you have school-aged children and plan to send them to public Ask your real estate agent to retrieve sales of homes in the school, you definitely want to consider the reputation of the neighborhood over the past few years. If one neighborhood shows neighborhood school. If you plan on sending your child to a private an annual average 8 percent increase and another is skyrocketing school, how long is the commute? You will likely spend a lot of time at 15 percent, you may have your decision made. driving your child not only during the school day but for extra- Crime curricular events outside the daily school schedule. Which ever Go to the local police or sheriff department and ask about crime school you decide, you can usually find general district information in your specific neighborhood. You might find theft or vandalism to and state standardized test results online. Always plan a visit to the be more prevalent in one area than another. Also please visit the school and receive the information first-hand from school website, www.familywatchdog.us. When you visit this site you can administrators. You should also talk to teachers and parents. enter your address and a map will pop up with your house as the Sellers’ Situations small icon of a house and red, blue, green, dots surrounding your If you don’t know already, ask your real estate agent how long the entire neighborhood. When you click on these dots a picture of a house has been on the market. Usually the longer a house has been person will appear with an address and the description of the crime listed, the better chance the seller will accept an offer lower than he or she had committed. asking price. Conversely, if the house has been on the market for Drawbacks just a couple days, the sellers will probably wait for a better offer if Rarely will you be lucky enough to find a perfect place. Think you offer less than the listed price. Your real estate agent might also about the cons associated with each house and determine to be able to dig up additional information about the sellers, like why correct them or how much of a negative impact each will have. they’re selling. If it’s a job-related move or a divorce, the sellers likely want to move as quickly as possible, meaning you have a better The House shot at them accepting a lower price. Make a list of the amenities and attributes you want your house to have. Be specific. Prioritize that list. Then, rate how each house Style and Substance measures up to each need on your list. The SUBSTANCE are things that cannot be changed such as the location, view, size of lot, noise in the area, school district, and floor Neighborhoods plan. The STYLE represents easily changed surface finishes like If you have kids or pets and being close to a park is important, carpet, wallpaper, color, and window coverings. Buy the house with you’ll want to consider that. How close are shopping, restaurants, good SUBSTANCE, because the STYLE can always be changed to churches, and other services? Are the streets maintained? How do match your tastes. your prospective neighbors keep up their property? How long will your commute to work be?

Charleston Information Guide [ 47 HOME INSPECTION CHECKLIST

Finding faults in a home doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t Interior buy it. But it will help you to know the type of repair costs that The kitchen and baths are the most expensive rooms to should be anticipated, and sellers often will make adjustments in renovate, so check their condition carefully. A newly-painted interior their asking price on the basis of problems discovered in an may look nice, but it could be hiding something. inspection. Plumbing Inspectors look for the following: Turn on the bathroom sink faucet and shower and then flush the Brick and Concrete toilet. When the toilet starts to refill, does the water pressure Check pavement, driveways and horizontal brick surfaces for diminish? Fill sinks and tub with three inches of water. Do they drain cracks. Is there damage from freezing? What is the condition of the properly? Do faucets leak? Lift up the carpeting. Are there any signs mortar between the bricks? Is any pavement buckling from of flooding or decay? spreading underground tree roots? Roof Electrical Are shingles curling and lifting? Find out how old the roof is, and Open the door on the fuse box or circuit-breaker panel. Is the you will have a pretty good idea of when you will have to replace it. electrical service adequate? The average house should have 100- Termites and Carpenter Ants amp service. Is it wired for 220 volts, which is necessary for electric Look for evidence of termites and carpenter ants on basement dryers and ranges? wood framing. Is there saw dust like wood or paper debris? Can Exterior you find evidence of termite tubes or tunnels? Termites live in earth, Is the house well maintained? Does the roof sag? Are the exterior so make sure that there are no places where earth is closer than six walls out of line? What is the condition of the paint, especially on the inches to wood. Like termites, carpenter ants like wood and wood south and west sides, where sun exposure is greatest? Is there products. adequate drainage away from the house? Water Damage Heating & Cooling Look in the basement for signs of leakage. This could be a result How old is the heating/cooling system? Has it been maintained? of poor drainage around the house. Water damage also is caused Ask to see the owner’s cooling bills for the previous year. This will by seepage through porous basement walls and condensation, give you an idea of its energy efficiency. which frequently is caused by inadequate ventilation. Basement Insulation walls painted a dark color may be an effort to disguise a past Check the attic and crawl space. Is the insulation adequate and problem. Beware of chalky white water stains on foundation walls complete? Has it been properly installed? Does the insulation or partitions; stains on wood and drywall; delamination of paneling obstruct the air vents, preventing the house from “breathing” and and lifting or buckling floor tiles; or a damp, mildew odor. possibly causing wood rot? Does the home have storm windows? Windows and Doors Has the glazing putty dried and shrunk, allowing water and air seepage? Is the wood decayed? Are the window and door frames caulked and weather-stripped?

48 ] Charleston Information Guide HOME CARE BASICS FOR NEW HOMEOWNERS

You’ve finally done it—you’ve just moved into your brand new Appliances home. The smell of fresh paint still permeates the air. You’re likely Remember to read the instruction manual for every appliance in consumed with unpacking, setting up furnishings, rearranging, your new home. The manuals provide recommended cleaning and decorating—energized by the blank pallet you have to work with. maintenance schedules and sometimes your warranty will become But once you’ve signed the thick pile of closing documents, the void if you don’t follow these recommendations. moving trucks have left and everything is neatly in its place, what do Driveways you do next? It’s time to get a handle on the routine maintenance If you have an asphalt driveway, remove oil, gasoline and similar you’ll need to perform in order to ensure that you and your family substances immediately with soapy water. live comfortably in your new home for years to come. Here’s some To avoid holes in your asphalt driveway, refrain from resting patio advice to get you started and help save money while you’re at it: furniture or bicycle stands on it. Maintaining a clean home will ensures it will last longer and works Do not burn anything on your driveway. better. Dust and dirt, if allowed to accumulate, can harm the finishes Gutters and Downspouts on blinds, cabinets, countertops, floors, sinks, tubs, toilets, walls, Clear away leaves, tree limbs and other debris from gutters and tiles and other items. If dirt does accumulate, make sure to clean it downspouts. with a substance that does not scratch or damage the finishes. Downspouts should be turned away from your home’s On the outside of your home, make sure that gutters and foundation. downspouts do not get clogged with leaves or other objects. The Every four to six years, paint gutters that are not are made of exterior of your house is built to withstand exposure to the aluminum or vinyl to help prevent rust. elements, but a periodic cleaning will improve the appearance and, in many instances, prolong the life of siding and other exterior Heating and Cooling Systems products. Late summer or early fall are the ideal time to do an annual inspection and cleaning of these systems. When you bought your home, you probably received a warranty from the builder on workmanship and materials. This warranty Make sure you change the filters every three months. applies to problems related to the construction of the home, but it Keeping your pilot light burning during the summer will help keep does not apply to problems that arise because of failure to perform the furnace dry and prevent corrosion. routine maintenance. For example, if your roof begins to leak after Registers help regulate the flow of air and maintain the desired six months because of faulty workmanship, your warranty would temperature in your home. Keeping registers closed in rooms you cover that. If you develop a problem because water backed up in don’t use will save on cooling/heating costs. clogged gutters that you should have cleaned, the builder is not Using heat generating appliances in the evening and reducing the responsible for repairs. Also, some items, such as appliances, may number of lights on will help keep the temperature down and save be covered by manufacturers’ warranties and are not the on costs during the summer. responsibility of the builder. Plumbing You should fully familiarize yourself with the terms of your Every member of your family should know where the intake warranty soon after you move into your home. With all the valves are located. Label each one. excitement surrounding a move into a new home, most people have If any of your appliances develops a leak, inspect your drain trap. little desire to curl up in front of the fireplace and read a legal A partially clogged drain can cause overflow. Use a plunger or a document. Nonetheless, you should not wait to read your warranty plumber’s snake to unclog the drain. If you need to, use boiling until a problem arises. Set aside an hour to learn what your rights water to help unclog a partially opened drain. Call a plumber if these and responsibilities are from the outset. techniques don’t work. Here are some additional tips for properly maintaining specific A worn washer, a loose part in a faucet or steam in a hot water systems in your new home. pipe generally causes a noisy pipe. Do not hesitate to repair the noise because vibrations can follow the noise and lead to leaks.

Charleston Information Guide [ 49 SECURITY

Each year more than six million residential burglaries occur Computer Security throughout the United States. That’s one every ten seconds! In Computer security is the process of preventing unauthorized use addition to the worry of home burglaries, we now also need to of your computer. concern ourselves with computer hackers and personal identity • Use of anti-virus software on all Internet-connected computers. theft. Listed below are some things that you can do to reduce your Be sure to keep your anti-virus software up-to-date. chances of becoming a victim. • Use of some type of firewall product, such as a network Home Security Checklist appliance or a personal firewall software package. • Have home security system professionally installed that offers a • Turn off your computer or disconnect its Ethernet interface when 24 hour monitoring system. Make sure to post the home system you are not using it. An intruder cannot attack your computer if it stickers and window decals: this should alert and deter would be is powered off or otherwise completely disconnected from the intruders. network. • Never stop mail or newspaper deliveries, it signals that you are • Use software backup tools if available, and store the backup away. Have a neighbor pick up all deliveries if possible. disks somewhere away from the computer. • When recording your answering machine message, do not state Identity Theft that you are not home or out of town. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal • When leaving for an extended period, put lights and stereo or information without your permission to commit fraud or other television on a timer to give the appearance that someone is crimes. While you can’t entirely control whether you will become a home. victim, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk. Exterior/Interior Security • Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal • Replace all locks immediately upon moving into your new home information before you discard them. and install deadbolts on all outside doors. • Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social • Secure your sliding glass doors with pins to prevent all horizontal Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number and vertical movement. Also install security film over the glass on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use panes for additional protection. another identifier. • Remember to lock all doors and windows. • Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the • Provide remote panic buttons for children and/or elderly mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing residents. with. • Never keep garage door openers in cars that are parked outside • Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a of your home. web address you know. Keep Your Valuables Safe • Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your • Keep your important papers, heirloom jewelry and large amounts mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social of cash in a safe deposit box. Security number. • Engrave your valuables with your social security number or drivers license number. • Store jewelry, firearms, furs and like in a small closet with a non- hinged solid core door that has a deadbolt. • When purchasing new electronic equipment, breakdown cartons before discarding them. This way you avoid advertising your new purchase to the entire neighborhood and drive-by observers.

50 ] Charleston Information Guide TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR ENERGY COSTS

The cost of cooling your house continues to rise. There are a • Close doors to rooms that are not being used. number of ways you can save a significant amount of money on • Run full loads in your washer and dryer, and use “solar drying” your energy bills. In fact, it’s possible to save up to 25 percent on (clotheslines). your power bill by using the following tips. While your results might • Use energy saver option on your dishwasher, allowing dishes to vary, you’re guaranteed to find at least a few ways to save money. air dry. The idea behind all our advice, and in fact our entire conservation • If you A/C unit is on the ground, keep the area around it clean and effort, is to give you the information you need to make the right free of obstructions to maintain air flow. decisions. • Unplug your televisions/VCR when you’re on vacation. Most new These simple steps don’t cost a thing, but can potentially save sets draw power even when they’re turned off. you 10-25% on your monthly energy bill. • Keep lights and lighting fixtures clean, especially if you’re • Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Don’t forget your reducing the number of lights you use. Dirt absorbs light. Let computer - it can use as much energy as a refrigerator. Most new lights cool before cleaning them and never touch halogen bulbs computers have “sleep” settings. with your bare hands. The oil from your skin can greatly damage • In the cold months, set the thermostat to 68 degrees when the bulbs. Use a small piece of paper to hold the bulb. home, and then back to 58 degrees when sleeping or when you • If your dishwasher has a filter clean it. are not home more than four hours. • Clean the reflectors underneath the burners on stovetops. • In warm months, set the thermostat to 78-80 degrees when home and 5 to 10 degrees warmer at night or when you’re not There are plenty of low cost, easy to do projects or steps you can home. do to save another 10-25% on your energy bill. • Do not turn your air conditioning off in the hot months when • Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent ones. you’re not home. Your house will store up the heat and you’re This will typically save $1 per bulb changed out (for bulbs running likely to make the air conditioning run for hours to feel 4-6 hours per day) and reduce heat in your home. Regular bulbs comfortable. use most of the electricity to generate heat so use care when • In the winter, open window coverings on the sunny side of your changing bulbs. home to take advantage of “free heat from the sun” Close the • Caulk windows and caulk and weather-strip doors. Keep the coverings on cloudy days or right after the sun sets. outside air out and the inside air in. • In the cooling season, close blinds and drapes during the day to • Install a hot water heater blanket but be careful not to cover vents keep heat out. or temperature settings. • Also, use your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, and cook • Install hot water pipe insulation. Do keep the insulation at least six as late in the evening as possible. inches away from the flue (exhaust pipe) of gas water heaters. • Barbecue outside if practical, keeping in mind the heat and effect • Plant trees and shrubs on the south and west side of your of sun on your body. By reducing the heat coming into your home residence. The vegetation acts as insulation and provides from any source, will reduce the load on your air conditioning. shading, reducing thermal gain in a building. • Use pool trippers to reduce the time your swimming pool pump • Fix leaky faucets Install low flow showerheads. runs on—eight to twelve hours a day is plenty in the summer • Use room fans to keep the air moving and reduce the feeling of months, less in the winter months. heat in your home. • Set your water heater to 120 degrees. • Replace furnace and air conditioner filters. Spray the filters with a • Vacuum your refrigerator coils (underneath and in the back) and light coating of lemon furniture polish or vegetable oil cooking don’t obstruct the coils. They need air space to work. spray to help trap dirt in the filter. • Keep the seals (gaskets) on refrigerators and freezers clean. • Check the seals on your refrigerator and freezer. • Keep your freezer as full as possible. You can place containers or • Replace normal thermostats with programmable thermostats. plastic bottles filled with water in the empty spaces. • Make sure food is cool and covered before it goes into the refrigerator.

Charleston Information Guide [ 51 HOMEBUYER’S GLOSSARY

As you start shopping for a new home, you may encounter some Contingency Condition that must be met before a contract is unfamiliar words and terms. The following glossary will help get you binding. through the maze of buying a home. Convertibility Ability to change a loan from an adjustable rate Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM) Loan with an interest rate schedule to a fixed-rate schedule. adjusted according to movements in the financial market. Many Covenant Agreement between seller and buyer on a piece of offer lower-than-market initial interest rates that rise only gradually property, restricting the use of that property. (Also called deed for the first few years. restriction.) Annual Percentage Rate (APR) Annual cost of credit over the life of Deed Legal document representing property ownership. a loan including interest, service charges, points, loan fees, Default When a borrower fails to make the required payments of mortgage insurance and other items. a mortgage contract. Appraisal Unbiased, professional opinion of a property’s value Density The number of homes built on a particular acre of land. based on its style and appearance, construction quality, usefulness Allowable densities are determined by local jurisdictions. and the value of comparable properties. Debt-To-Income Ratio Long-Term debt expenses as a percentage Assessment Tax levied on a property or a value placed on the of monthly income; used by lenders to qualify borrowers for worth of a property by a taxing authority. mortgage loans. Assumption Transaction allowing a buyer to assume responsibility Due-on-Sale Clause in a mortgage contract requiring the borrower for an existing loan instead of getting a new loan. to pay the entire outstanding balance upon sale or transfer of the Broker (Real Estate) Person who receives a commission or fee for property. bringing buyer and seller together and assisting in the negotiation of Earnest Money Sum paid to the seller to show that a potential contracts between them. A license is required in most states. purchaser is serious about buying. Building Code Local regulations controlling design, construction Easement Right-of-Way granted to a person or company and materials used in construction. Building Codes are based on authorizing access to the owner’s land. For example, a utility safety and health standards. company may be granted easement to install pipes or wires. An Buydown Subsidy, usually paid by a builder or developer, to owner may voluntarily grant an easement or can be ordered to grant reduce the monthly payments on a mortgage loan. one by a local jurisdiction. Buyer’s Agent A real estate agent who represents only the buyer Equity Difference between the value of a home and what is owed in a real estate transaction. on it. Callback Request by a homeowner for a builder to handle a Escrow Handling of funds or documents by a third party on behalf service request. of the buyer and/or seller. Cap Limit to the amount an interest rate or monthly payment can Escrow Amount Amount set up by a lender into which periodic, increase for an adjustable-rate loan either during an adjustment usually monthly, payments for taxes, hazard insurance, period or over the life of the loan. assessments and mortgage insurance premiums are made. Funds Certificate of Occupancy Document from an official agency stating are held in trust by the lender who pays the sums as they become the property meets the requirements of local codes, ordinances and due. regulations. Fair Market Value Price at which property is transferred between Chain of Title History of all documents transferring title to a parcel willing buyer and willing seller, each of whom has reasonable of real property, starting with the earliest existing document and knowledge of all pertinent facts and neither being under compulsion ending with the most recent. to buy or sell. Change Order Homebuyer’s written authorization to add, delete or Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Federal agency that insures change an item specified in a contract. mortgages with lower down payment requirements than Closing Meeting to sign documents that transfer from a seller to a conventional loans. buyer. (Also referred to as settlement.) Fixed-Rate Mortgage Mortgage with an interest rate that remains Closing Costs Charges paid at settlement for obtaining a mortgage constant over the life of the loan. loan and transferring a real estate title. Hazard Insurance Protection against damage caused by fire, wind Commission Agent’s fee for negotiating a real estate or loan storms or other common hazards. Many lenders require borrowers transaction, often expressed as the percentage of the sales price or to carry it in an amount at least to the mortgage. mortgage amount. HVAC Common building industry abbreviation for heating, Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions (CC and Rs) Standards that ventilation and air conditioning systems. define how a property may be used and the protections the Index Interest rate or adjustment standard that determines the developer makes for the benefit of all owners in a subdivision. changes in monthly payments for an adjustable-rate loan.

52 ] Charleston Information Guide HOMEBUYER’S GLOSSARY

Infrastructure Public facilities and services needed to support Presettlement Walk-Through Final inspection of house prior to residential development, including highways, bridges, schools and closing, conducted by builder and buyer. sewer and water systems. Principal Amount borrowed, excluding interest and other charges. Inspection Examination of work completed on a structure to Property Survey Survey to determine the boundaries of a piece of determine compliance with building code and other code property. Cost depends on the complexity of the survey. requirements. Recording Fee Charge for recording the transfer of a property, paid Joint Tenancy Form of ownership in which the tenants own a to a city, county or other appropriate branch of government. property equally. If one dies, the other automatically inherits the Specifications Contractual document describing in detail the work entire property. to be performed; method of construction; standards of Loan Origination Fee Lender will charge a fee for the cost of workmanship; quality, type and manufacturer of materials and processing the loan, usually calculated as a percentage of the loan equipment for a particular project. amount. Tenancy in Common Form of ownership in which the tenants own Loan-To-Value-Ratio Relationship between the amount of a home separate but equal parts. To inherit the property, a surviving tenant loan and the total value of a property. would either have to be mentioned in the will or, in the absence of Lock-In Rate Commitment from a lender to make a loan at a pre- a will, be eligible through state inheritance laws. set interest rate at some future date, usually for not more than 90 Title Evidence, usually in the form of a certificate or deed, of a days. A fee may be charged to “lock-in” a rate. person’s legal right to ownership of a property. Mortgage Commitment Formal written communication by a lender Title Insurance Insurance against any title defects that may exist agreeing to make a mortgage loan on a specific property, specifying prior to the time the title is passed from one owner to the next, and the loan amount, length of time and conditions. which may come to light in a future transaction. Mortgage Origination Fee Charge for the work involved in preparing Veterans Administration (VA) Federal agency that insures and servicing a mortgage application. mortgage loans with very liberal down payment requirements for Permit Document issued by a local government agency allowing honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses. construction work to be performed in conformance with local codes. Work may not commence until permits have been obtained, and each permit issuing agency must inspect the work at certain specified points during construction. PITI Principal, interest, taxes and insurance: the four major components of monthly housing payments. Point One-Time charge assessed by the lender at closing to increase the interest yield on a mortgage loan.

Charleston Information Guide [ 53 WHO’S WHO IN BUILDING

Architect Lender Building design professional who has completed all required The financial institution that provides construction loan financing university training in architecture and passed state licensing exams; during construction and permanent financing for the home buyer initials A.I.A. and F.A.I.A. indicate membership in a professional after the home is built and there is a property settlement, referred to organization, but not licensed status. in our area as closing. Most lenders make what is referred to as Builder or General Contractor “end loans” which is the loan made to the buyer of a new home, and The buck stops with him or her in construction projects. The others make both the “end loan” and “construction loan financing” general contractor secures bids for all work and materials; hires, which provides funds to pay for costs incurred during construction. coordinates and oversees subcontractors; files for permits and Owner Builder arranges for inspections; and generally makes the final decisions in An individual or family who finances and manages a home all construction-related matters. building project (usually with the assistance of a builder or general Building Designer contractor who is hired to manage all or a particular phase of the Generally unlicensed professionals (license not required for construction of the home) with the intention of retaining ownership practice) who, by experience, are competent to design homes, and residing in the home after completion. prepare drawings and write specifications; they often work in Subcontractor association with licensed architects. A specialist who undertakes responsibility for one phase or trade Building Inspector within the project and reports to the general contractor. In a typical One or more local officials who oversee and regulate every phase home building project, subcontractors generally include: an of residential construction. Regulations vary widely. In most states excavation contractor who digs foundations and grades the site; a area home construction meets standards contained in the Uniform masonry contractor who handles all concrete, block, brickwork and Building Code. In addition, applicable provisions of the Uniform Fire paving; a framing contractor who constructs the shell and interior & Plumbing/Mechanical & Electrical codes are enforced. Typically, partitions; a roofing contractor; a heating, ventilation and air- permits are issued and inspections are made at key stages of conditioning (HVAC) contractor; a plumbing contractor; an electrical construction by County and City building code enforcement contractor; drywall installers; insulation contractors; finish departments. carpenters who generally handle wood flooring, trim work, and Construction Manager/Foreman cabinet installation; and a painting contractor. The general contractor’s right-hand man. A construction Surveyor manager can be on site when the general contractor is not. A professional with the training and equipment to establish or Design/Build Firms verify property lines. The surveyor also plots and marks the An organization that provides both architectural planning and topography of the site, which is crucial in preparing the site plan. He general contracting services, and offers a different approach to the or she may also be employed to stake out the building site, setting conventional arrangement in which the designer and builder are reference marks for foundation excavation, establishing grades for separate entities. roads or driveways and marking the locations for a septic system Kitchen /Bath Designer and water well, if necessary. Specialist in designing these rooms; initials C.K.D. and C.B.D. Title Insurance Company indicate certification by a professional association, for which training The entity that conducts a comprehensive search of the public and passing tests are required. License is not required for practice. records to make sure that the title received by a buyer of a new Interior Designer home is “free and clear of any liens and encumbrances”. This Specialist in decoration and furnishing; special training and assures the issuance of a clear or “merchant able” title in favor of licensing not required. Initials A.S.I.D. following individual’s name the buyer of a new home at the closing of the sale of the property. indicate membership in a professional association, for which training and passing tests are required. Landscape Architect Specialist in landscape and garden planning; primary concerns include site selection, grading, access, drainage and protection of existing plant material. License required for practice.

54 ] Charleston Information Guide SELECTING A BUILDER

Are you shopping for a new home? Start by shopping for a Service After the Sale and Home Warranty professional builder first. Whether you are buying a townhouse, a While you are shopping, ask about the builder’s service after the detached home in a subdivision, or a custom-built house, the sale. Most builders offer some form of warranty. Many builders back construction quality of your new home will be determined by the their own warranties on workmanship and materials, typically for quality of your builder. one year. Other builders offer warranties backed by an insurance Start your builder-search process by calling your local home program. One of the most important criteria for selecting a builder builders association. They can give you the names of reputable is the warranty protection provided on the home. Ask for a copy of builders in your area. Ask friends and relatives about builders they the builder’s warranty. Read the document thoroughly and be sure have dealt with directly, or ask them for the names of acquaintances you understand what protection is provided. If you have any who have recently built a new home. questions about the coverage, talk to the builder prior to finalizing The Interview Process your purchase. Once you have developed a list of builders who are building the Be Thorough type and price range of home you are interested in, research their When selecting a builder, be thorough and ask a lot of questions. reputations and the quality of their work. The best way is to visit Get as many specifics as possible. If you receive the answers homes that they have built and talk to the owners. Ask the builders verbally, take notes. Never hesitate to ask a question because you on your list for the addresses of their recently completed houses, are afraid of sounding “stupid” or uninformed. What seems like a subdivisions, or townhouse communities. At the very least, drive by “stupid” question may yield a very important answer. and see if the homes are visually appealing. Buying a new home is probably the biggest and most important Look at homes that are the same style as you plan to buy. A good purchase you will make in your lifetime. By doing your new “home” time to visit is on a weekend morning when people are outside work to select a builder, you will instill in yourself and your family a doing chores. Introduce yourself and explain that you are sense of confidence and knowledge that you have made the right considering buying a home from the same builder who built their choice. home. If you have additional questions about selecting a builder, contact Ask about their satisfaction with the home and whether the your area’s Builders Association. Ask for a builder list that identifies builder delivered what was promised in a timely manner. Ask if they the price categories and subdivisions in which they build. Be sure to would buy another home from this builder. People will generally tell tour the Parade of Homes in the Fall and Spring. It is an excellent you if they are happy with their purchase. way to get familiar with the housing market in this area as well as Quality and Value individual builder’s products. When examining a home, look at the quality of the construction features: the cabinetry, carpeting, trim work, and paint. In viewing a home, you must determine whether it lends itself to the type of lifestyle you want to lead. Look at the amount of interior living space and how efficiently the space is used. Find out if the builder is incorporating state-of-the-art energy efficiency features, both in appliances and insulation.

Charleston Information Guide [ 55 SELECTING A CONTRACTOR

Every year hundreds of families are taken advantage of by 8. Make sure all required permits are secured and inspections are disreputable individuals or companies who represent themselves to made.The contractor should be expected to secure all necessary be reliable, reputable contractors. If you are planning to hire permits. Beware of contractors who want you to secure the someone to repair or make improvements to your property there are permit as the property owner. It is permissible to do so, but it is safeguards you can take to assure the best selection of a contractor very unusual that a reputable contractor will ask you to do this. for you. 9. Make sure you have a written contract with the contractor that Consider the Following details: 1. Hire only licensed contractors. Contractors are required to be a. A full description of all work to be done. licensed to do certain types of work. When selecting a contractor b. A firm date of completion you should make sure the contractor holds a current, valid c. Total cost of the job. license either issued by your city. d. Contractors license number. 2. All contractors do not possess the same expertise.Ask for e. All warranty information. references and check those references to assure yourself that f. Quality of materials to be used. the contractor is qualified to do the type of work you are wanting g. How and on what basis payments are to be made. done. h. How changes and payment for changes will be handled. 3. Check business references. Ask the contractor for a list of 10. Make sure complete architectural drawings are done and business references that you can call and verify that the agreed upon if you are having a room addition added, or relationships with suppliers and subcontractors are good ones extensive remodeling done. Be certain that detailed material and that the contractor pays his bills. specifications are also provided and made a part of the contract 4. Call the Better Business Bureau to find out if there are any you sign. complaints or charges pending against the contractor. 11. Monitor the work being done in accordance with the 5. Call local trade associations for information about selecting a contractual agreement with the contractor. If you have contractor. questions about what is being done or problems with the 6. Ask for proof from the contractor that he has general liability contractor, either ask questions or confront the problem head insurance and workers compensation insurance in order to on when it occurs in order to minimize any conflict and reach a protect you, as the property owner, against any claim in the event satisfactory resolve as quickly as possible. the contractor, his employees, or someone else is injured as a 12. Final payment should not be made until you are satisfied that result of work being done on your property. the job has been completed in accordance with the terms of the 7. Make sure the contractor you are contracting with will be contractual agreement between you and the contractor. personally involved in coordinating the work to be done on your property.

56 ] Charleston Information Guide MORTGAGE INFORMATION

You may have a difficult time deciding which type of home feature was designed to provide housing and assistance for mortgage is the best for your needs. The world of home finance veterans and their families, and the dream of home ownership offers so many variables and options that it’s often hard to keep became a reality for millions of veterans. VA will guarantee a them straight. The following may help you better understand the maximum of 25 percent of a home loan amount up to $104,250, differences and find a home loan that’s right for you. which limits the maximum loan amount to $417,000. Generally, the Fixed-Rate Mortgages are very popular because the interest rate reasonable value of the property or the purchase price, whichever and monthly payments are constant. Fixed loans are generally is less, plus the funding fee may be borrowed. All veterans must amortized over ten, fifteen, twenty or thirty years. Property taxes qualify, for they are not automatically eligible for the program. and homeowners insurance may increase, but generally your Interest-Only Mortgage is really an interest-only option that works monthly payments will be very stable. During the early amortization with various mortgage types. This option has regular payments, period, a large percentage of the monthly payment is used for typically monthly, for a fixed period of time; however, payments paying the interest. As the loan is paid down, more of the monthly consist of one hundred percent interest. No principal is paid during payment is applied to principal. A typical 30 year fixed rate the interest-only period. When that period ends, the borrower is mortgage takes 22.5 years of level payments to pay half of the obligated to make payments of principal and interest. Because the original loan amount. You may also opt for “biweekly” mortgages, time remaining in the loan term to repay the principal is shorter than which shorten the loan by making a payment every two weeks. it would have been, payments will adjust upward, sometimes (Since there are 52 weeks in a year, you make 26 payments, or 13 substantially. The appeal of interest-only payments is savings. When “months” worth, every year.) principal is not being paid, monthly payments are dramatically Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) is a loan which allows for the lower. On the risk side is potential for loss. If the need to sell arises adjustment of its interest rate according to the terms of the note and and the property value has stayed flat or declined, a borrower might as market interest rates change. With this type of mortgage loan be in a position where the mortgage loan balance is higher than the program the interest rate and payments may be adjusted as market value of the property. frequently as every month. The purpose of the program is to allow Balloon Mortgage Loan generally has a short term, commonly mortgage interest rates to fluctuate with market conditions. The anywhere from 3-7 years. During that term, borrowers make regular initial interest rate for an ARM is usually lower than that of a fixed equal payments of principal – the amount of money borrowed – plus rate mortgage, where the interest rate remains the same during the interest. At the end of the loan term, a “balloon” payment is due for life of the loan. A lower rate means lower payments, which might the entire loan balance. Options for handling the balloon payment help you qualify for a larger loan. Also if you do not plan to keep your include paying off the balance when due or refinancing before the home for more than a few years, the possibility of rate increases payment comes due. Balloon mortgages are usually offered at isn’t as much of a factor. But no one has a crystal ball to predict the lower interest rates than other fixed-rate loans. In addition, fluctuation of interest rates, so it is somewhat of a gamble. payments are calculated using a period longer than the term of the FHA Mortgage Loan is insured by the Federal Housing loan. As a result, balloon loans offer affordability for short-term Administration. FHA is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and circumstances. Borrowers do need to plan ahead so they are not Urban Development (HUD), one of its chief purposes is to help caught unprepared when the balloon payment is due. people obtain financing to buy their homes. The FHA doesn’t make Choosing a type of mortgage is not the only decision you must the loans, but insures loans made by banks, savings and loans, face. Several other criteria are listed below. mortgage companies, credit unions and other approved institutions. Hybrid Mortgage combines features of both fixed-rate and FHA does not originate loans. FHA insures the mortgage and pays adjustable-rate mortgages. A hybrid mortgage loan may start with the lender if the homebuyer defaults on the loan, or fails to repay the a rate that is fixed for a period of time. When that fixed-rate period loan. Almost anyone who has a satisfactory credit record, enough expires, the loan then converts to an ARM. The initial rate for a cash to close the loan, and sufficient steady income to make hybrid mortgage loan is typically lower than prevailing fixed rates. monthly mortgage payments can be approved for an FHA-insured The lower rate enables more buying power up front. On the risk side mortgage. There is no upper age limit and no certain income level is the uncertainty of how high interest rates will be when the fixed- required, although individual mortgage amounts are limited by law. rate period expires. VA Mortgage Loan is similar to the FHA mortgage. The U.S. Lending Institution are used when you’re looking for a home loan, Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees loans made by you might work with an officer at a bank or other lending institution, institutional lenders to eligible veterans. The guarantee helps protect or you might choose to work with a mortgage broker. The loan the lender in the event of the borrower’s default. The VA Loan was officers at a bank, credit union or other lending institution are initiated in 1944 through the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, more employees who work to sell and process mortgages originated by commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights. The GI Bill was signed into their employer. They often have a wide variety of loans types to law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and provided veterans with draw from, but all originate from that specific lender. a federally guaranteed home loan with no down payment. This Continued on page 58

Charleston Information Guide [ 57 MORTGAGE INFORMATION

Mortgage Brokers are professionals who are paid a fee to bring Conventional Mortgage is a loan that is under $ 240,000 and together lenders and borrowers. The mortgage broker working to meets Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac standards, the largest secure your loan is earning a fee for that transaction—and the purchasers of home mortgages on the secondary market. better deal they achieve for a lender, the more they are paid. Don’t Convertible Mortgage is an ARM with the option to convert to a be too anxious to disclose the interest rate you would be willing to fixed rate mortgage as specified in the contract. accept, let them tell you what terms they can secure. Shop around FHA Loans are issued by FHA approved lenders. The FHA insures to make sure the terms are reasonable. its loans so that borrowers can get them with only 3 to 5% down There should be little difference between obtaining a loan from a payment. The FHA has certain criteria to qualify for these loans. broker or a local lending institution. Maybe none, but you should be Fixed-rate Mortgages are self amortizing loans with a constant rate aware of the differences between the two positions. A mortgage of interest. These loans are commonly for 10, 15. 20 or 30 year broker may find you a lender in another part of the country. The loan periods. office will likely be able to offer more personal service while your loan Interest Rate is what the lender charges for the use of their is being processed and once you are an established customer. money. Expressed as an annual percentage of the amount Discount Points are fees paid to a lender at closing in order to borrowed before financing expenses. lower your mortgage interest rate. While buying points is sometimes Initial Interest Rate is what lenders charge on an ARM until the a good decision, many times the purchase costs you more than it first adjustment is made. This rate is usually much lower than fixed saves. The cost of each point is equal to one percent of the loan rate mortgages. amount. For instance, for a $100,000 loan one discount point Jumbo Mortgages are loans greater than $ 227,150 with an equals $1,000. Each discount point paid on a 30-year loan typically interest rate that is a quarter percentage higher than conventional lowers the interest rate by 0.125 percent. That means a 5.5 percent loans. rate would be lowered to 5.375 percent if you purchase one point. Paying for points lowers your interest rate, because the lender Lifetime Cap is the same as an annual cap except there is limit on receives the income in a lump sum at closing rather than collecting how high the interest rate can increase over the entire life of the the interest as you make payments on your loan. Whether or not mortgage. paying points makes sense for you depends in part on how long Loan Commitment is a promise by the lender to provide the you plan to keep the loan. agreed amount of money stated on the mortgage to close on a home. The commitment also states the interest rate, term of loan, Helpful Mortgage Terms and usually expires within 60 days. Adjustable Rate Mortgage is a loan with a rate that adjusts to Loan Servicing is the institution that handles the administrative market conditions. The rate of adjustment will be stated in the processing of your loan such as billing and collecting payments. contract. Loan-to-Value Ratio is the proportional relationship of the Adjustment Index is a guide lenders use to change ARM interest mortgage loan to the value of a home, expressed as a percentage. rates during the life of a mortgage. The specific index to which your ARM is tied to will be listed in the mortgage contract. Annual Cap is a limit on how high the interest rate on an ARM can rise in a single year. Annual caps are specified in the better ARM programs. Annual Percentage Rate Equals the true cost of a loan including financing charges and fees. Amortization is the process that reduces the amount owned in a loan. It can be made in a lump sum or periodic installments. Appraisal Value is estimating the property’s worth which is based on comparable properties. Appraisals that are completed by certified professionals, and are used by lenders to verify the home’s value and justify the mortgage commitment. Appreciation is the increase in the property’s value, either by improvement in the market or improvements made by the owner. Balloon Mortgage is a loan that acts like a fixed rate but is due in three, five or ten years. At that point you must pay the outstanding balance in one lump sum. Buydown is the process of buying a lower interest rate by paying more points at closing.

58 ] Charleston Information Guide MORTGAGE INFORMATION

Mortgage Calculator insurance to arrive at your allowable principal and interest payment. How much do you qualify for based on typical lender You can obtain your property taxes from the local township office requirements? Generally, the lender will require that your monthly and you can contact your insurance agent for homeowner rates. payments not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. Lets take Now, while shopping for your mortgage, you probably have a look at how a lender would typically determine your ability to meet discovered the current interest rate. Use the chart below; find the monthly house payments. column, which applies to that rate. Follow the number down until First, determine your gross monthly income from all sources. you find the number that is closest to your principal and interest Then multiply that amount by 28% to determine an approximate payment. To the left of that you will find the loan amount for which allowable monthly payment. This payment includes principal, you probably qualify. If you intend to apply for a 90% loan, divide the interest, taxes and insurance. From this amount subtract taxes and loan amount by .90 to calculate the price of the house that would require this monthly payment.

The example below illustrates this procedure: Gross Monthly Income $2,500 X 28% = $700 Less: Monthly Taxes & Insurance (100) = $600 12% Interest Rate for 30 years for $600= $60,000 $60,000/.90 (Loan to Value) =$66,667 = Estimated Maximum Home Price For Qualification

$ 5% 5.5% 6% 6.5% 7% 7.5% 8% 8.5% 9%

100,000 500 550 600 650 700 750 800 850 900

150,000 750 825 900 975 1050 1125 1200 1275 1350 200,000 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 250,000 1250 1375 1500 1625 1750 1875 2000 2125 2250

300,000 1500 1650 1800 1950 2100 2250 2400 2550 2700 350,000 1750 1925 2100 2275 2450 2625 2800 2975 3150 400,000 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800 3000 3200 3400 3600

450,000 2250 2475 2700 2925 3150 3375 3600 3825 4050 500,000 2500 2750 3000 3250 3500 3750 4000 4250 4500

550,000 2750 3025 3300 3575 3850 4125 4400 4675 4950 600,000 3000 3300 3600 3900 4200 4500 4800 5100 5400 650,000 3250 3575 3900 4225 4550 4875 5200 5525 5850

700,000 3500 3850 4200 4550 4900 5250 5600 5950 6300 750,000 3750 4125 4500 4875 5250 5625 6000 6375 6750 800,000 4000 4400 4800 5200 5600 6000 6400 6800 7200

850,000 4250 4675 5100 5525 5950 6375 6800 7225 7650 900,000 4500 4950 5400 5850 6300 6750 7200 7650 8100 950,000 4750 5225 5700 6175 6650 7125 7600 8075 8550

1,000,000 5000 5500 6000 6500 7000 7500 8000 8500 9000

Charleston Information Guide [ 59 AIRLINES NATIONWIDE TRAVEL

Airlines choose from Budget’s World Class Fleet at Diamond Award-winner Picasso. the airport or in your neighborhood. • “O” by Cirque du Soleil, an extraordinary American Airlines Reservations call (800) 433-7300 Budget Rent a Truck fusion of water, dance and aerobics. Flights at your fingertips. For passenger Worldwide Reservations (800) 527-0700 • Via Bellagio- a collection of the worlds reservations and information call us or your Right now, Budget has great rates on most sophisticated boutiques from travel agent. equally great trucks. So don’t let them Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Tiffany, and pass you by. Hermes. Continental Airlines Reservations call (800)523-3273 Hertz Car Rental • The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Want to be treated with respect, fly the Reservations call (800) 654-3131 charms guests with its natural beauty. safe and courteous skies with Continental Still The biggest, still the best. Biggest • Dancing Fountains cavort on an eight Airlines. Selection of low mileage cars. Customer acre lake. service is the most important thing we do. United Airlines Fairmont Hotels Reservations call (800) 241-6522 Education 6-12 Toll Free (800) 527-4727 Serving more of the nations top 100 www.Fairmont.com Florida Air Academy business centers than any other airline. Boston, Las Vegas, Dallas, New 1950 South Academy Drive Small package dispatch, same-day airport Orleans, New York, San Francisco & San Melbourne, FL 32901 to airport. Jose America’s Grand Hotels since 1907. (321) 723-3211 Apartments www.flair.com Hilton Hotels At Florida Air Academy, Cadets at have Worldwide Reservations (800) 845-8667 Putnam Avenue Town Homes the opportunity to get a first-rate education www.Hilton.com 3106 Putnam Avenue geared to the learning styles of young men Hilton Hotels, Resorts, Suites, Hilton Hurricane, WV 25526 and make friends from around the world Garden Inn, Conrad International Hotel. www.bilt.biz The school accepts young men in grades MGM Grand Little more than a stone’s throw from 6 through 12. The Academy boasts a 16- 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South Exit 34, Wal-Mart, and dining, quiet student average class size and college Las Vegas, NV 89109 complex of 41 units in residential prep curriculum taught by accredited staff, (702) 891-1111 neighborhood; 2-story town homes, some many with advanced degrees. Cadets at Searching for non-stop action and with garages under. Easy move-in with Florida Air Academy receive leadership pulse-pounding excitement? “The City of window treatments and appliances; training and an emphasis on community Entertainment” awaits your arrival. refrigerator, washer and dryer included. service Other programs include an • La Femme-the sensual French sensation Electric heat pump; all 2 bedroom; typically excellent sports program, extensive direct from the original Crazy Horse in 900 sq. ft.; built in 2000. $575., up; year’s computer curriculum and optional flight Paris. lease; deposit. Small, mature pet. More training and SCUBA certification. space in 15 unit complex with fenced • Tabu’- The ultra hip lounge designed to yards, Rosewood Village, 2600 block of Florida Air Academy is located on stimulate and arouse your senses. Main Street, Hurricane 25526. New, 3 and Florida’s Space Coast and is fully • Live the nightclub lifestyle at studio 54sm. accredited. Contact our Admissions 4 bedroom single-family homes, typically • Sixteen masterpiece restaurants including department for more information on Fall, 1,600 sq. ft. on one floor, from celebrated chef Tom Colicchio’s Spring, and Summer enrollments. $1,200/month with lease and deposit. Craftsteak and Michelle Mina’s NOBHILL. For additional Information contact: Good schools. Neighborhoods midway • The king of the jungle overlooks the Lion Donna Stratford Director of Communication with 30 minutes to Charleston (capitol), Habitat. (321) 723-3211, Extension 30028 Huntington (Marshall U.), Buffalo (Toyota), • The Grand Garden Arena and Hollywood Pt. Pleasant, Lincoln and Boone Counties. Moving Supplies Theatre feature top name entertainment. Parkersburg, Beckley, Logan WV, and Ashland KY little more than an hour. Check Dial-A-Box Mirage Hotel & Casino web-site or e-mail [email protected] with White Plains and The Bronx, NY 3400 Las Vegas Blvd South RENTALS as subject, please. TOLL FREE: 866-4-DIAL-A-BOX / Las Vegas, NV 89109 866-434-2522 (702) 791-7111 Car/Truck Rental www.dial-a-box.com Immerse yourself in this tropical South Sea oasis filled with luxury and excitement! Avis Rent a Car Nationwide Travel Reservations call (800) 331-1212 • Experience the elegance and Offers low-mileage quality maintained Bellagio The Resort sophistication of our newly redesigned GM and other cars. Computerized for fast 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South guest rooms. service & low rates for day, week or long Las Vegas, NV 89109 • Dive into interconnected lagoon and term mini lease. (702) 693-7223 thundering waterfalls at the new Mirage Experience a world unto itself at “the pool. Budget Rent a Car most romantic hotel in the world.” Worldwide Reservations (800) 527-0700 • Ten international restaurants including • AAA Five Diamond Award winning resort. Right now, Budget has great rates on AAA Five-Diamond award winner Renoir. equally great cars. So don’t let them pass • Nine world-renowned restaurants • Exotic White Tigers, Lions and a family of you by. For your local or one-way rental including Aqua, Prime, and AAA Five Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins in Seigfried

60 ] Charleston Information Guide NATIONWIDE TRAVEL NATIONWIDE TRAVEL

and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Pan Pacific Resort Hotels Habitat. Worldwide Reservations (800) 327-8585 • A fire-erupting volcano sparkling lagoons Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts. North and tumbling waterfalls. America, Japan, Southeast Asia. • Dive into interconnected lagoon and Treasure Island thundering waterfalls at the new Mirage 3300 Las Vegas Blvd. South pool. Las Vegas, NV 89109 New York-New York (702) 792-5627 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. South Enjoy the adventure and romance of this Las Vegas, NV 89109 engaging resort filled with new-world (702) 740-6969 amenities. The best of New York City meets the • AAA Four Diamond Award® winning best of Las Vegas in one exciting location. resort. Be a part of it. • World-famous pyrotechnic sea battle • ESPN ZONE sports-themed dining and between the pirate ship, Hispaniola, and entertainment. the British frigate, H.M.S. Britania in the • Live performances nightly from the middle of the Buccaneer Bay. Award-winning comedy of Rita Rudner. • Mystere by Cirque du Soleil, a • The thrilling Manhattan Express Roller mesmerizing mix of powerful acrobatics, Coaster. circus skills and dance. • COYOTE UGLY Bar and Dance saloon • Eight exciting dining options including and the Dueling Pianos at the Bar at Kahunaville and Buccaneer Bay Times Square. Restaurant-fine dining overlooking the explosive battle in Buccaneer Bay. • New York City’s original Gallaghers Steakhouse. • A beautifully appointed wedding chapel. • Be the toast of the town in the Big apple • A tropical pool area and lavish spa and Bar with live entertainment nightly in “The salon. Greatest City in Las Vegas.” • ZUMANITY, Another side of Cirque du Soleil, the creative climax of sexuality, humanity and art.

Charleston Information Guide [ 61