The hottest woman in entertainment will do something cool for our four-legged friends when she celebrates animal health in Williamsburg, Va., on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010. This sassy gal has a calendar, t-shirt line, television sitcom, movie appearances and Facebook fan page, to name a few accomplishments. We’re talking about Betty White, America’s favorite Golden Girl.

The Emmy award-winning TV star and Morris Animal Foundation trustee, will make an appearance at Binn’s of Williamsburg, a clothing retail department store, between 1 and 5 p.m. She will sign a collection of European handcrafted ornaments, called The Pet Set that were were created by Joy To The World Collectibles.  Following the signing is a black-tie fundraiser at the Virginia Ballroom of the Williamsburg Lodge benefiting Morris Animal Foundation.

“We are grateful for our partnership with Joy To The World Ornaments and pleased that they and Betty are helping us create a healthier tomorrow for animals,” said Paul Raybould, executive vice president of Morris Animal Foundation.

White has endorsed the Joy To The World ornament collection since 1998, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of The Pet Set are donated to Morris Animal Foundation. More than 200 different styles of ornaments are available that benefit the Foundation, including the largest dog-breed-specific glass ornament collection on the market.

“I am thrilled to be a part of an event that is all about the animals,” said White.

A signed ornament by Betty White will most certainly be a prized possession and makes a unique holiday gift. Why not plan a weekend trip to Williamsburg to be part of at least the ornament signing?

The public is welcome to attend the signing and can contact Binn’s of Williamsburg (435 West Duke of Gloucester St.) for additional information about the event and how to purchase ornaments at 757-229-3391. Contact Resort Rentals International for affordable Williamsburg hotels for the October event.

One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the ability to have educational vacations and what better place to learn about history than during a Williamsburg vacation? Homeschool families will receive a special admission ticket September 12 – 27, 2009, valid for admission to Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center in Williamsburg, Virginia. Jamestown Settlement is a 17th-century Virginia museum and the museum of the American Revolution is at the Yorktown Victory Center.

The special admission ticket, which costs $10.25 per family member (youth or adult), provides unlimited admission to both museums between Sept. 12 – 27, 2009, and an opportunity to pre-register for optional student hands-on classroom programs and family guided tours of the museums’ outdoor living-history areas. At the Jamestown Settlement, see the Powhatan Indian village, recreated colonial fort, riverfront discovery area and replica 1607 ships while at the Yorktown Victory Center, wander through a 1780s farm and see the re-created Continental Army encampment.

Students can enroll in one of 3, one-hour programs at each museum, according to grade level. Each class addresses the United States and Virginia standards of learning for history social studies. To learn about the homeschool programs and available classes, contact the museums’ Group Reservations at 757/253-4939, or toll –free at 888/868-7593 or email them at group.reservations@jyf.virginia.gov. Learn more about the museums at www.historyisfun.org.

And don’t forget to take advantage of the fabulous accommodation deals available for a Williamsburg vacation.

Photo Credit: Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

The first full weekend of August is shopper’s paradise in Virginia. Each year, residents and visitors of the Commonwealth of Virginia enjoy a sales tax holiday on school supplies and clothing. This year’s tax-free holiday will take place August 7 – 9, 2009 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

So what’s tax exempt? Sorry, computers don’t qualify but certain school supplies selling for $20 or less do. This is the weekend to stock up the closet on shoes for the fall fashion season because clothing and footwear selling for $100 or less per item are tax exempt. Read up on the sales tax exemption guidelines from Virginia’s Department of Taxation.

When vacationing in Virginia Beach, hit the Hilltop Area for shopping centers with familiar names ranging from K-Mart to Talbot’s, the Lynnhaven Mall to browse some of the 180 shops including three department stores, the Towne Center and Pembroke Mall for premier shopping and dining, and the Virginia Beach Resort Area between 2nd Street and 40th Street for the perfect vacation memento.

As for shopping in Williamsburg, the Historic Triangle is a shoppe’s paradise with more than 200 retail and designer outlet stores. Yeah, that’s right. More than 200. After a day of visiting Colonial Williamsburg, plan a shopping day at Prime Outlets at Williamsburg, Patriot Plaza Premium Outlets, Williamsburg Outlet Mall and Merchants Square.

Before hitting the road for a Virginia vacation, clean out the closet and toss those cloths you haven’t worn in a year or two. And yes, we know about those garments you haven’t worn in a decade, they need to go, too.  Donate these items to Goodwill, Salvation Army or any other charity of your choice. Better yet, take the vintage items to a thrift shop and try to make some spending money to update the wardrobe during your Virginia vacation.