YVETTE SMITH REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA HOMES FOR SALE

Holidays can be hectic. There's shopping, cooking, traveling and of course the every day details of life. During this time of the year, people's minds are not focused on donating blood. That can mean area blood supplies can reach critical levels. Winter months, just like the summer months, especially around the holidays, are tough times for blood collection.

According to the Red Cross website, blood types O-positive and B-negative are at critical levels. Blood types including A and B-positive and O and A-negative is the most needed and most requested by hospitals because it is the universal blood type.

According to the American Red Cross, only 5% of people who could give blood actually do. Blood can be donated every 56 days, and is used in a variety of health and trauma situations.

To give blood:

• You must be at least 17 years old (or 16 with a parent's consent).

• Minimum weight of 110lbs.

• You must have not donated whole blood in 8 weeks (56 days) or double red cells in 16 weeks (112 days).

• You must be healthy, well enough for normal activities.

During the holiday season, the need for blood actually goes up because of the increased number of people on the roads, which can lead to more traffic-related incidents and accidents.

THE GREATEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE IS THE GIFT OF LIFE...DONATE BLOOD!

If Thanksgiving did not get you into the holiday spirit, try a little music! The College of William & Mary is sponsoring a number of holiday concerts that will surely get your sleigh bells ringing!

Wednesday, December 3, 8 p.m.
William & Mary Symphony Orchestra
Akiko Fujimoto, conductor
"Carmen" Fantasy by Saraste featuring Renowned violinist Charles Castleman and Johannes Brahms' Symphony
No. 4 in E minor
$8 general/$2 students/free for children under 12

Thursday, December 4, 8 p.m.
William & Mary Wind Symphony
Angela Holt, conductor
Holiday musical journey from America, around the world and back to America, with a special appearance by the W&M Middle Eastern Ensemble.
$7 general/$3 students and seniors

Friday, December 5-6, 8 p.m.
William & Mary Choir, Women's Chorus & Botetourt Chamber Singers
Brian Bailey, conductor
Choral Holiday Concert of music by Mendelssohn, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Duruflè, Vaughan Williams and more!
$10 general/$5 students

Saturday, December 20, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. & December 21, 2 p.m.
The Virginia Regial Ballet and Heidi Robitshek presents:
The Nutcracker! A Spectacular Williamsburg tradition for over 30 years!

All at the Phi Betta Kappa Memorial Hall, 601 Jamestown Rd, Williamsburg. Call 757-221-2674 for more information.

Happy Holidays to All!

Courtesy of Yvette Smith, SRES® REALTOR®
WILLIAMSBURG REAL ESTATE
757-753-7472
Long and Foster Realtors®
6610-J Mooretown Road
Williamsburg, VA 23188
YvetteSmith@AtHomeInWilliamsburg.com

Many Seniors are acting on the use-it-or lose-it theory and taking advantage of local opportunities to strengthen mental capacity and build social connections. Participating in activities that stimulate the mind has shown to decrease dementia in aging adults. The goal is to continue challenging your mind after retirement to maintain full mental capacity. Just as lifting weights builds muscle, mental exercise builds brainpower. Modern seniors no longer have to spend days confined to the house and instead can continue to remain vital parts of the local community.

The Historic Triangle Senior Center, which is part of the James City-Williamsburg Community Center, offers trips, computer classes, sewing classes, dances, and luncheons to people over 55. There is no cost for most activities. The Senior Center leaders say that building social connections helps to ward off depression and declining health in senior populations.

The Senior Center of York County offers the AARP Driver Safety Program. Seniors can also participate in the Computer Club, which helps them become more familiar with computer programs and navigating the internet. They have programs to help educate seniors on public issues, such as health care, crime prevention, and advice on planning for the future. There's a monthly Cultural Day that informs seniors on programs of art, entertainment, or special educational interest.

Make Tin Can Thanksgiving Turkeys!

Save a tin can and after cleaning it out well, cover the entire tin can with brown construction paper. Cut out the turkey's features - feet, eyes, goggler and beak from different colors of construction paper and attach with glue. Don't forget the turkey's tail feathers. Glue them on the back of the tin can. You can also use markers for highlights. Tin Can Turkeys are great to use as place markers at your Thanksgiving dinner table.

Wishing you all a joyous and thankful Thanksgiving from Colonial Williamsburg!

Courtesy of Yvette Smith, SRES® REALTOR®
WILLIAMSBURG REAL ESTATE
757-753-7472
Long and Foster Realtors®
6610-J Mooretown Road
Williamsburg, VA 23188
YvetteSmith@AtHomeInWilliamsburg.com