HOW TO

HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD MECHANIC

THE EXPERT

HELPFUL ADVICE FROM ALUMNI EXPERTS

Want to save a life? Run a marathon? Brew a great cup of coffee? Make a super cocktail? Choose a good suit? Alumni experts from various walks of lifefrom the head of an international company to the owner of a Charlottesville garageprovide tips on these and other topics to help make your life more informed, meaningful, creative or just plain fun.
services that will best meet your needs, not just throw a large estimate at you in the hopes that some of it will stick. Dont let a shop bully you into excessive amounts of preventive maintenance or coerce you with an enormous estimate the rst time you walk in the door. Contrary to what they might say, your car will not implode if you dont purchase the most expensive maintenance package.
Feel free to ask questions

Joe Baber (Col 09) is the owner of Peacock Auto Service in Charlottesville and has been a professional mechanic for 10 years.

Take a look around

Spend a moment to visually inspect the prospective shop. Note the cars located in the parking area. Are they similar in value to yours, or does the parking lot look like a junk yard? Next, peek into the shop area. Is it clean and organized? A lot of information can be garnered by the condition of a work area. Chances are that if the technicians take pride in their work area, theyll take the same pride in the repair of your vehicle.
Beware of oil change specials

If you dont understand what is wrong with your car and what needs to be serviced or repaired, dont be afraid to ask for a comprehensive explanation. Good shops have nothing to hide and wont mind taking the extra time to make sure you understand exactly what needs to be done in order to get you back on the road.

Any shop that runs specials or gimmicks does so for a reasonto lure in potential victims. Theres not much of a prot margin on an oil change, so shops offering such specials do so only to get you in the door. Once they have your car on the lift, shops of ill repute will attempt to sell you a bevy of necessary repairs and services.
Call ahead to check availability

Good shops are busy shops, and they might not be able to accommodate you right away. If a shop is reputable, honest and does good work, chances are that many others know about it as well. But dont be deterred if you are in a crunchgood shops also have a way of tting you in if time is truly an issue.
Find a pressure-free zone

A good shop will take the time to get to know you and your vehicle. The mechanics will suggest appropriate

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UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA MAGAZINE

We must be the change we wish to see in the world.

HOW TO MAKE A KILLER COCKTAIL

THE EXPERT

HOW TO GET GOOD KARMA

THE EXPERTS

Allison Evanow (Col 86) is the founder and CEO of Square One Organic Spirits, makers of organic vodkas and spirits.

Patty Triplett (Com 92), Heather Blasch (Col 91) and Steve Triplett (Com 89) created Good Karmal, a candy company with a mission to sweeten the world. Good Karmal wraps all-natural caramel in quotations meant to inspire acts of kindness.
Do good and good things will happen

The sweet aromatic scent of basil and other herbs that are prolic in summer usually makes one think of seasonal, market-inspired cuisine. But what about market-inspired cocktails? Instead of looking to the mixer aisle for your next patio party concoction, look to your produce aisle, or better yet, to your local farmers market for inspiration. Heres how to revive the classic gimlet by using fresh lime juice and muddled basil.
Basil Gimlet

2 oz. Square One Organic - Choice of Original, Cucumber or Botanical Vodka 1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice 1/2 oz. organic agave nectar or simple syrup 4 leaves of basil Tear basil leaves and muddle briey in a cocktail shaker tin. Pour all other ingredients into shaker and ll with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a basil leaf oat.

Sanskrit for action, karma is the cycle of cause and effect, the manifestation of our own reality through our thoughts and deeds. Simply put, what we do determines what will happen to us. While there are many ways of generating good karmayou could chant or meditatewe are inspired by the Hindu proverb Help your brothers boat across, and your own will reach the shore. When you act with kindness and seless intent, you plant the seeds and create the space for happiness to grow.
Be the change

Emphasizing the extraordinary power of individual action, Gandhi said, We must be the change we wish to see in the world. By choosing to take positive action and being mindful of our words, thoughts and deeds, we can create good karma. Do something for someone else with no expectation of reward. Make a difference in whatever cause is close to your heart. It neednt be grand; the action isnt as important as the thought behind it. Shift out of neutral, ignore the cynics and know that everything we do matters.
Remember that the little things are big

Maya Angelou once reected, People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. We have so many encounters every day. Its amazing how small, unexpected acts can make a difference: a simple hug, a phone call out of the blue, sharing an umbrella with a rainsoaked stranger or waving a fellow driver into your lane. Be patient with yourself and others and strive to make a conscious choice. Before you react, remember that what you think and do will follow you. The ripple effect of these interactions is exponential.
Be here now

Its easy to get caught up in the activities and distractions of daily life; it takes focus to slow down and inhabit the moment. So toss the to-do list and make a commitment to be present. Engage with those around you and create beauty every chance you get, for as Joseph Joubert advised, Poetry is to be found nowhere unless we carry it within us. Be compassionate, be the unexpected, and above all, inspire one another as you ask yourself, How am I going to live this day?

FALL 2010

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HOW TO PLAY THE HARMONICA

THE EXPERT

Clay Edwards (Com 87, Grad 88) is the president of Hohner Inc., the worlds largest manufacturer of harmonicas.

Holding the harmonica

First, it makes sense to start with a quality harmonica. Id recommend a professional level model that will allow you to bend notes easily. Hold the harmonica with both hands, the right thumb and forenger around the 10 hole end, and the left thumb at the end by the 1 hole, with the left ngers behind the back of the harmonica. If you ap your ngers back and forth quickly, youll learn to make an echo sound, often associated with campre music.
Breathing, drawing

For a familiar refrain, try to play The Good Old Song using the chart below:

6 Blow 7 Blow 7 Blow 7 Blow 8 Blow 8 Draw 7 Blow 8 Draw

Accompanying music

Playing the harmonica is about breathing in and out, with control, rhythm and precision. The low notes are by hole 1, the highest are by hole 10. Visualize a pianothe higher notes are always to the right. Blowing or drawing on a single hole produces one note. Blowing several holes at once can yield a chord, like the intro to Bob Dylans Mr. Tambourine Man.

Another way to learn is by accompanying music. Play only one or two notes at a time and stay in rhythm (dont play faster than the song goes). Less is more, if you play in rhythm and follow the melody up and down. Play along with CDs or YouTube videos, which are a good source of free lessons. Hohners site (www.hohnerusa.com) will offer free lessons soon. Learning to play the harmonica will help you gain an emotional response from people. Playing music soothes the soul and inspires, and the harmonica is an easy place to start.

HOW TO FALL IN LOVE WITH OPERA

is a marketing consultant to professional service rms and nonprots. He serves on the board of two opera organizations in California.
THE EXPERT David Alan Gibb (Col 65)

Dont worry about languages

composite of music, dance, drama, sets, costumes and lighting. When the elements align, the result is great theater. Voice must come rst, but acting and production values count.

Many who otherwise enjoy classical music maintain an aversion to opera. Some may have been dragged to a performance when too young, or imagine that language is a barrier, or that opera is for the elite. But much has changed in opera, and it deserves a second chance.
Forget the fat lady

No need to understand Italian or French or German or Czech. In fact, no need to strain to comprehend every word even if the opera is performed in English. All major companies in the U.S. run supertitles, capturing the essential dialogue and making the action immediate and readily understandable.
Learn the ABCs

Some hold an outdated image of a fat lady in a Viking helmet bellowing at a rotund tenor in a bad wig. Audience expectations today are increasingly visual as well as aural. In response, companies have updated production values to attract new and younger audience members, engaging imaginative stage directors and designers who use technologies such as rear projection, computer-driven lighting and elaborate stage machinery to enhance the scene.
Think of opera as theater on steroids

Some intrepid opera neophytes start with contemporary opera, others go Baroque. But there exists a standard repertoire of operas that are done frequently by houses all over the world because novices and committed opera buffs alike recognize them as the greats. Start with the ABCs: Aida, La Bohme and Carmen.
Look for offbeat venues

Opera theater is the combo platter of the arts. Its a

Like theater, opera can gain immediacy and relevance by being done in the park, the mall or the street. Long Beach Opera (full disclosure: I serve on the board) recently performed The Diary of Anne Frank by Grigori Frid in a parking garage to create the oppressive atmosphere appropriate to the story. Most famously, the company performed Orpheus & Eurydice by Ricky Ian Gordon in a swimming pool representing the river Styx.

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UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA MAGAZINE

HOW TO RENT A CITY APARTMENT

THE EXPERT

Jennifer Ceaser (Col 90) is the deputy editor of the Home section of the New York Post and an experienced New York City renter.

Do your research

Figure out where you want to live in a city and if you can afford it. Dont just look for the cheapest rent; make sure its a neighborhood where youll feel safe and that ts your personality. Narrow down a handful of areas and check them out during the day and, most importantly, at night. Note how accessible the neighborhood is to public transportation. If youre into nightlife, see how much a cab will cost to get you home in the wee hours.
Too good to be true?

HOW TO BREW THE PERFECT CUP OF COFFEE

THE EXPERT

Bill Bowron Jr. (Col 75) is president and CEO of Red Diamond Coffee & Tea in Alabama, one of the three oldest coffee companies in the country, continuously run by the same family.

Start with fresh coffee

Craigslist.org is a great resource, but it can also be a waste of time if you dont know how to separate legitimate listings from suspect ones. The most obvious warning sign is suspiciously low rentscammers know this is the best way to get you interested. So, if someone asks for money up front and promises a key later, dont fall for it. Another is the bait and switch, usually used by apartment brokers who tell you the advertised apartment is rented and offer to show you another that ends up being smaller, more expensive, or in a less-desirable neighborhood or crummy building. If you sense that something isnt quite right, trust your instincts and move on.
To use a broker or not?

Air dries out coffee and, therefore, affects the avor. Purchase the freshest beans available in airtight packaging or freshly roasted at a local store. Roasting releases the coffee avor, so it tastes best immediately after roasting. Over the last 100 years, the coffee industrys packaging methods evolved from glass jars to metal cans to wax-lined bags to vacuum-sealed bagsand now exible packaging with one-way valves. This transformation has helped the industry to deliver the freshest coffee.
Know your beans

In New York and, to a lesser extent, in Boston and Chicago, brokers control much of the citys apartment inventory. And they get anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of a years rent as a onetime fee, which means that if youre looking at places renting for $2,000 a month, expect to pay a broker around $2,400. (Note: This is in addition to a deposit and rst and last months rent.) Cant afford it? Avoid the no- or low-fee services, which charge money to join. You can get their same listings by compiling a list of the buildings youre interested in and contacting the management companies directly. New rental buildings are usually more open to this tactic. And while the monthly rent may be slightly higher, youll avoid paying the broker fee.

Select roasts and blends depending on whether you prefer a mild cup or an intense, full-bodied cup of coffee. Most people prefer 100 percent new-crop, washed, mild Arabica coffee. As the ground-versus-whole-bean debate carries on, keep in mind: Modern packaging provides fresh ground coffee. If you grind whole bean coffee, then brewing should occur as soon as possible after grinding.
Equipment, water

Whether using a drip system or French press, keep your coffee maker clean and free of any hard water deposits or coffee residue that could taint the taste. Use fresh, cold water; if you dont like your local tap water, use ltered. For each cup of coffee use six ounces of water, adding one level tablespoon of coffee plus one tablespoon for the pot. A properly calibrated coffee maker will brew at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit to extract the most avor from the grounds. It will take around ve minutes to brew properly. If the pot stays on the warming plate for longer than 15 minutes the coffee could become bitter or taste burned. Drink immediately and repeat as needed. Use sweetener and creamer to taste, but many people nd a fresh, steaming cup of a great coffee need only be followed by a second cup.

FALL 2010

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HOW TO TRAIN FOR A MARATHON

THE EXPERT

HOW TO MAKE PEOPLE LOOK GREAT IN PHOTOS

THE EXPERT

Nicole Kelleher (Med 12) is a professional triathlete and former NCAA Division 1 assistant cross-country coach and standout cross-country/track athlete.

Robert T. Jones Jr. (Engr 01) is a wedding and portrait photographer and owner of Towner Jones Photography in Gainesville, Va.

Get a plan

So you have decided to run a marathon. No idea how to get ready? The good news is that there are many training programs geared toward beginners and rst-time marathoners. Following a program will help you avoid injury and give you condence. You can get a program from Runners World online for less than $30, or you can choose from a variety of free programs available online. Your local running shop is also a great resource for a training program. Some offer classes for marathon training at all levels.
The 10 percent rule

Be hands-on

A subjects condence in front of the camera should be your highest priority. There isnt a high-end camera or fancy light that will x a picture of someone who is uncomfortable. Pump up your subject. Everyone can take a good picture when they relax enough to be open with the camera.

The age-old rule of running is the 10 percent rule. You should never increase your total weekly mileage by more than 10 percent per week. Following this rule will help you avoid injury as well as help your body transition gradually (and less painfully) to longer distances. You will have to give yourself plenty of time to prepare for your marathon. Most training schedules are intended to start 16-20 weeks before your marathon goal.
The shoe factor

Great photographers discovered this trick years ago, and Ive found it always works: After asking permission, walk up to the model and put your hands on him or her, whether theres something to be adjusted or not. Move their chin or their shoulders. It helps the subject relax and establishes a connection between photographer and subject. It shows in the photos.
Check the angles

Using the appropriate shoe is essential to injury-free training. There are three general categories of running shoes: cushion, stability and motion control. These categories differ in how much motion the shoe allows the foot to have when it is planted. Everyone has a unique gait that determines which of these shoes they should use. Running in the wrong shoe can result in injury. The best way to ensure that you are in the correct shoe is to visit your local running specialty shop. The employees should be trained to analyze your gait and help you nd the right shoe for your foot.
For the advanced runner

When positioning a subject, keep in mind the angle of the shoulders relative to the camera. Instead of positioning with the shoulders perpendicular to the camera, slightly angle the body to either side. This provides depth to the photo and has a slimming effect on the subject. In addition, shooting from a slightly elevated position provides a more natural look than shooting from below.
Frame creatively

One of the best ways to add character to a portrait is by creative framing. Instead of placing the subject in the center of the cameras frame, experiment by moving the subject to the left or right of center or zooming in tight.
Capture different emotions

Dont always make them smile. Though we all enjoy a good laugh, sometimes capturing lifes other emotions makes for memorable photographs. Dont be afraid to ask your subject to be pensive, distant or determined, as well as excited, surprised or happy.
Work fast

If you are hoping to run faster marathons, integrate speed training into your preparation. Along with your long runs and tempo-paced runs on the road, you also want to get to the track about once every two weeks. At the track, you should do intervals faster than race pace at distances as short as one mile. Try this workout: Do nine to 12 repetitions of one mile at ve seconds per mile faster than your target race pace, with one minutes rest between intervals. Do this workout no later than three to four weeks before your race.

Keep it short and sweet. You have between ve and 10 minutes of shooting before your subject is going to start getting tired. A 2-year-old whos been dragged in front of your lens will get cranky fast. Get photos in a few different posesbest to have these in mind in advanceand get a generous number of images of each, but keep it quick. When youve established a good rapport with your model, by all means have some fun. Real smiles and candid moments are best captured when people are enjoying themselves.

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UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA MAGAZINE

HOW TO BUY A SUIT

THE EXPERTS Colin P.G. Hunter (Col 04), C. Peyton

Selecting options

should consider a moderate taper throughout the suit. Shortening the length of your jacket, as well as a lower button placement, will add the appearance of height to smaller frames.

Jenkins (Col 04) and Mana Anandsongkit (Col 08) are co-founders of Alton Lane, a clothing company that offers luxury custom-made menswear.

Build your wardrobe

First, determine what you have and what you need. Build your wardrobe around a solid foundation of versatile, well-made suits and then expand based on your personal style and work demands. Typically, the rst four suits in a mans closet will include a solid navy, solid charcoal, navy pinstripe and a charcoal pinstripe. These four classic patterns will cover you in almost any situation and provide a good mix of tradition and style. Once you have the basics, you can begin to expand your wardrobe based on your needs and personal preference. For a more modern, stylish look: a colorful pinstripe or a sleek birds-eye fabric. For a traditional look: a subtle windowpane or a classic charcoal herringbone. Finally, add a light linen or cotton suit to your wardrobe for summer weddings and cocktail parties.
Accentuate your gure

The details of your suit will have an impact on the overall look and should be selected based on your personal tastes and work environment. In more conservative ofce environments, consider a standard notched lapel, center vent, pleated pants and cuffs. If your ofce culture supports a more modern look, you can opt for a thinner lapel, ticket pocket, side vents and at-front pants.
Personalized touches

A properly tted suit should atter your gure, making you look sharp and relevant. Its most important that your suit look proportionate to your body. Tall, lean frames should look for a tapered jacket with narrow pants, while more athletic builds

There are a few ways to personalize a suit to make it your own. Choosing a fun, colorful lining is a great way to express personality while remaining formal to outside observers. Also, consider adding a monogram on the wool inside your jacket or a different color stitching to each sleeves last buttonhole or the lapels ower hole. These small touches can brighten a dark suit and make your garment uniquely yours.

HOW TO GET INTO GRADUATE SCHOOL

THE EXPERT Richard Bahar (Col 00) is founder of Jefferson Prep, a national tutoring, exam prep and language preparation company.

stale, instantly forgettable list of accomplishments. Instead, establish an interesting theme that pervades your entire application. In particular, use your personal statement to amplify this theme and to convince an admissions ofcer that youd be a fascinating member of the incoming class. For example, if youre applying to medical school and want to demonstrate your commitment to health care, tailor your personal statement, letters of recommendation, and interview to highlight a lifetime desire to become a physician. Before submitting your nal application, ask someone to review it in under ve minutes. If they can come away with a strong, memorable impression, you know youve done your best.
With standardized exams, focus on substantive study

Establish an application theme

Faced with a prolonged recession and a stagnant job market, more students are turning to graduate school to make themselves more marketable in the workplace, and to bide their time as they await an economic recovery. How can you increase your chances of admission in a climate that is more competitive than ever? Make your application as memorable as possible. Avoid a

Most students mistakenly think that they can prepare for the LSAT, GRE, GMAT or MCAT in a just a few weeks. On the contrary, these exams require nonintensive, substantive study. If youre in your mid-20s and planning to take the GRE or GMAT, its safe to assume that you remember close to nothing from high school algebra or geometry. And yet the quantitative portions of these exams present challenging, advanced level math questions. Give yourself several months to slowly review the concepts that youve forgotten, concepts that took you years to learn in the rst place.

FALL 2010

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HOW TO DRESS BOHO

THE EXPERT Courtney Kampa (Col 10) has been a model, fashion adviser and writer for Seventeen Magazine.

HOW TO SAVE A LIFE IN THE WILDERNESS

THE EXPERT

Matthew Rosefsky (Grad 03, GSBA 03) is general manager of the Outdoor Adventure Social Club of Greater Charlottesville and a wilderness medicine instructor for Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities.

So you wanna be boho. Youve stared, envious but mystied, at those colorful, rumpled outts. Youve even staked out trendy coffee shops to pick up tips. You, too, wish to make an effortless spectacle of yourself but are unsure how. Step one is to stop taking yourself so seriously. In wandering out into the world as wrinkled and tousled as this genre demands, a certain amount of dignity, even self-respect, must rst be surrendered. So take risksif you look a little silly, it all gets written off as intentional. Wear the occasional blanket for a coat. Twist up your hair with a pen. Put your house key on a rubber band and wear it as a bracelet. And dish towels? Perfect head scarves.
Aim for inexpensive Let go

Step-by-step rescue recipe

We think of wilderness as a place of tranquility to which we escape. But the dangers of being in wilderness can also be thrust upon us due to natural disaster or terrorism. Ever been among the rst to arrive at a crash or injury scene, desperately wanting to help out but having no idea what to do? danger, such as from falling objects, or bikes coming blindly around the bend, such that immediate evacuation or blocking off a hiking trail is in order? Second, as you approach the patient but before you arrive, form a general impression. What happened? What appear to be the major concerns? Might the patient be at risk of spinal cord injury? If yes, ensure that the patient does not move, especially his or her headincluding nods of yes or no. Third, protect yourself from others body uids. Carry and use medical gloves. Fourth, briey communicate with the patient as you approach. How responsive is he or she? What happened? Does he want your help? What is his chief complaint? Run through the ABCDEs of life-threatening conditionsin strict order of fastest killers rstimmediately treating any problems you discover along the way. Airway: Open the patients mouth, check for and remove solid or drain liquid blockages. Breathing: Look, listen and feel for breathing rate and quality. Assist inadequate breaths using a CPR face shield or slow down rapid breathing (get the patients attention, breathe with him or her and slow the pace of breathing). Circulation: Check for a pulse at an extremity, then closer in if none is found. Perform CPR if appropriate. Check for and stop any major bleeds.
Deformity or disability: Check for Go through the ABCDEs What happened? First, size up the scene. Is it safe? Is the patient in imminent

Join the fashionably poor, frequenting consignment shops, ea markets, vintage boutiques or your mothers attic. Consider the jewelry of the past. It offers a cheap, timeless, thoroughly boho alternative to wearing what everyone else wears, and is an ideal way to weather the tough economy. Check out stores like the Salvation Army or Goodwill, which frequently house absolute gems.
Avoid trends

Part of bohos appeal is that no two looks should ever be the same. A common, yet fatal, mistake is to fall into the genre marked hipster. Avoid anything given this label as though it were the plague. While the mission of the average bohemian is freedom, hipsters are dened by restriction, whether through oxygen-sucking skinny jeans, or their crippling sense of irony.
Boho: a state of mind

Rather than a denitive set of rules, its most important to embrace the deep humanity of dishevelment. City grit, wrinkled fabrics appreciate a style of minimal upkeep. Develop a air for melodrama. Bohemian clothing should be the evidence of a great romantic soul, preoccupied with art, love and metaphysics. Boho ultimately amounts to attitude. The clothing should suggest you spent the morning making art rather than wrestling your pants on with a shoehorn. Wear a genuine (yet slightly distracted) smile. Carry a steaming espresso without the Starbucks decal. Above all, be yourself interpretation is key. The big secret about boho rules is that there are none.

broken bones. Check nervous system functionality by addressing these questions: Can the patient move feet and squeeze hands, evenly? Can he or she feel which toe or nger youre pinching? Environment: Get the patient out of the sun, off the cold ground, out of the rain and keep him warm.

Go online to see more alumni experts at uvamagazine.org. Plus watch How to videos from faculty.

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UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA MAGAZINE