Spend the Day in Del Ray at Art on the Avenue 2010 - 09/30/10 07:32 PM
Art on the Avenue, Alexandria's premier arts festival kicks off Saturday, Oct. 2 at 10:00am on Mt. Vernon Avenue in the heart of Del Ray.  Over 300 vendors and some 40,000 visitors are expected for the 15th annual celebration of art, music, and food.
Look for fabric art, furniture, fused glass, jewlry, metal, painting, photography, pottery, stained glass and more.
In addition to the artists, many of whom live and work in Del Ray, the 3/4 mile venue will feature local food vendors, children's activities, musical performances, a pie baking contest and a dog wash.
The dog wash, a new … (2 comments)

Fall Garden Tours and Workshops in Northern Virginia - 09/29/10 09:34 PM
A few weeks ago we gave you a long list of things to do in Northern Virginia from now until the first of the year.  Lots of festivals and art shows, corn mazes and pumpkin patches.
Today we're going to focus on fall garden tours and workshops.
Fall is a great time to plant and/or start planning for next spring.
With incredibly hot and dry weather behind us (we hope), it's time to assess the damage and perhaps readjust existing garden plans.
Whatever you need to do in your garden, these tours and workshops are a perfect launching … (5 comments)

Ft. Belvoir Octoberfest Sept. 30 - Oct. 3 - 09/29/10 08:05 PM
Ft. Belvoir will host it's 15th Annual Octoberfest Sept. 30 - Oct. 3 on Freemont Field.   Octoberfest celebrates the traditional German holiday with authentic food, music and beer. 

Look for a bazaar and bake sale, carnival rides, keg tapping ceremony, 10K run/walk, dancing and a host of vendors. 
Open to the public, Sunday, Oct. 3 is Military Family Appreciation Day.
… (0 comments)

Sale! Friends of the Duncan Library in Alexandria, VA - 09/28/10 07:09 PM
Who:  Friends of the Duncan Library What:  Annual Fall Book Sale Why:  Because the library (always) needs money When:  November 3-6, 2010 Where:  2501 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria, VA The Friends of the Duncan Library need your donations for their annual fall book sale.  CD's, DVD's, trade paperbacks** and hardcover books are now being accepted.  The Friends is a 501(c)(3) organization so all donations are completely deductible. **Mass market paperbacks (you know, the small ones that are hard on the eyes) are persona non grata.

… (2 comments)

Whew! The Canned Pumpkin Shortage is Officially Over - 09/27/10 04:55 PM
Whew!  The Canned Pumpkin Shortage is Officially Over. I knew you were worried so I wanted to get the word out right away. 
Seriously folks, Thanksgiving is right around the corner and that means pumpkin bread, pumpkin bars, pumpkin trifle, pumpkin soup, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin cake, pumpkin rolls, pumpkin roulade, pumpkin mousse, pumpkin french toast, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin flan, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin doughnuts and, of course, PUMPKIN PIE.
Although I was blissfully unaware, it seems that we have been suffering from a canned pumpkin shortage for over a year! 
Apparently Nestle, which accounts for about 85% of all … (8 comments)

First It was Bedbugs, Now It's Stinkbugs - 09/26/10 10:28 PM
A few weeks ago I wrote about the infestations of bedbugs that are seemingly catching a ride in every suitcase in the country.  And then this morning I opened the paper to read about stinkbugs!On the bright side stinkbugs are harmless - they don't bite, they don't sting and they don't carry harmful diseases. They DO reek havoc on fruits and vegetables and ornamental shrubs and trees.
But the Washington Post noted "There is no easy way to kill lots of the bugs at once. They have no natural predators in the United States. Pesticides don't work effectively. The insects travel … (10 comments)

Scenic Sunday - Do Not Enter Fountain - 09/26/10 06:30 PM

Although you can approach from the plaza, a walkway and a driveway, the sign, Do Not Enter Fountain caught us by surprise. We aren't sure if they mean, literally, do not get IN the fountain or if it's more of a "caution, do not enter because there is a fountain here."
Either way, we did enter, and our guess is that others do too.  The fountain is a series of water jets on a flat surface that are programmed to "dance"  

Maybe they think people won't notice and will try and walk through? 
… (6 comments)

Homeopathy at Potomac West Interiors - 09/25/10 09:39 PM
POTOMAC WEST INTERIORS has developed a monthly (or a least periodic) series of guest speakers.  First intended as a way to bring folks into the store, the series has taken on a life of its own. Owner Susan Driscoll looks for interesting folks who work/live locally and have something of value to offer to her audience.
This next week the speaker will be Christopher Johnson, ND (Naturopathic Doctor). 
Described as a system of healing that is completely natural and safe, yet powerful and grounded in science, homeopathy works with seasonal allergies, chronic pain, sinusitis, anxiety and depression, digestive orders, headache, … (0 comments)

Virginia Bicylist and Pedestrian Awareness Week - 09/24/10 09:34 PM
Although I'm a little late getting to it, we have just finished celebrating Virginia Bicylist and Pedestrian Awareness Week. 
A key goal of Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Week is to educate citizens in understanding the importance of sharing the road responsibly and with respect.  These are some of the key points highlighted in police presentations around the area:

·        Pedestrians should use sidewalks if available. When walking on roads, walk facing traffic and travel on extreme edge.
·        Pedestrians and cyclists can improve safety by wearing bright colors during the day and reflective material or blinking lights at night. Light … (1 comments)

Elegance Inc. in Alexandria, VA - An Extraordinary Boutique - 09/23/10 11:03 PM
You have probably passed Elegance Inc. on King Street in Old Town Alexandria a thousand times.  You have noticed the one-of-a kind wedding dresses in the window.
You have admired the sumptuous fabrics and luxurious embellishments.
But have you ever gone in?
No?  Well, let me tell you what you are missing.
Filled with original designs, imported fabrics and trim, bridal veils and more, Elegance Inc. is where to come when you want to stand out from the crowd.
Mother of the bride? Embassy soiree?  A special anniversary?  This is where you need to be.  Elegance Inc. … (2 comments)

Alexandria's Fourth Annual Paws in the Park - 09/22/10 08:13 PM
Alexandria will celebrate it's fourth annual Paws in the Park this Saturday, September 25th from 11:00am to 1:00pm.Paws in the Park is a fall festival with games, costume parade, Doga (dog yoga), pumpkin and face painting, raffles, prizes and treats for kids, dogs, and all accompanying personnel.The festival will benefit  The Fund for the Montgomery Park Dog Park, The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, and the Alexandria Police Department k-9 Unit.   A donation of $15 is suggested.

Sponsors and friends include: Cetacea Pet Gear, Old Town North Community Partnership, Crowne Plaza/ Holiday Inn, Old Town School for Dogs, Yogis for Positive Change, River's Edge Yoga, Alphagraphics, Yogis for Positive … (2 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - What Are You Looking At? - 09/22/10 04:34 PM
Alexandria is well known for being a dog friendly destination.  Shops keep water bowls and appropriate snacks on hand and "yappy happy hour" is a must do for many local residents. 

 
Still, there are a few places where restrictions do apply. . . These Westies were keeping their humans company on a beautiful fall Saturday at the Caboose Cafe in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood. 
Can't you just hear them now - What Are You Looking At?
… (10 comments)

2010 National Book Festival on the Mall in Washington, DC - 09/21/10 08:13 PM
Do you love books? Do you read to your children at night?  Is a good mystery or thriller the perfect anecdote for a rainy afternoon?  Then the 2010 National Book Festival on the Mall in Washington, DC this Saturday, September 25 is where you want to be.
Conceptualized by former First Lady Laura Bush and organized by the Library of Congress in 2001, the National Book Festival has taken on a life of its own with corporate sponsors, full time staff and volunteers, and a whole coterie of satellite events.
The first year there were 30,000 people in attendance (including … (0 comments)

Real Estate Market Report for Alexandria and Northern Virignia August 2010 - 09/20/10 09:14 PM
The Real Estate Market Report for Alexandria and Northern Virginia for August 2010 was released earlier this week amidst dire news on the national level.
Any homebuyer or seller who reads the news headlines can become quickly disheartened or elated depending on which publication, blog, or news station they are following.
There is no doubt that conflicting information is being reported on the real estate industry on a daily basis.
The reported information is not necessarily false, but the reality is that real estate is a very local business. What is happening in regards to sales, pricing, or … (2 comments)

A Favorite Old Town Alexandria Residence - 09/19/10 02:47 PM
Although not a historic home, this private residence in Old Town Alexandria is one of my very favorites.  Always immacuately "groomed", the proportions, the landscaping and the eye for detail are striking.
The side view is one for the imagination.  What is behind the screened pergola?  A patio?  A swimming pool?  A porch?

This just may be my dream home . . .
 
 
… (1 comments)

5 Great Reasons to Shop the Parkfairfax Native Plant Sale September 25th - 09/18/10 02:52 PM
5 Great Reasons to Shop
the
 Parkfairfax Native Plant Sale
September 25th
The Parkfairfax Native Plant sale is a rare opportunity to buy native azaleas, native fruiting shrubs, native carnivorous plants and select sepcies of native perennials and woodies. 

Despite what many people do, fall is a fabulous time to plant.  The weather is cooler, it's easier to water and the plants get a good head start on putting down roots.  The real payoff comes in the spring with lots of new growth. The sale is organized and run by volunteers. Its purpose is to promote native … (2 comments)

4 Lessons from a 97 Year Old Real Estate Agent - 09/17/10 08:47 PM
I take absolutely no credit for this post but the headline caught my eye and I couldn't resist sharing.  John Roach of Switchyard Media interviewed 97 year old George W. Johnson to get his perspective on today's market.  Mr. Johnson works in the Seattle market and still goes to the office six days a week.  He has seen his fair share of "booms and busts" since he first hung his single 74 years ago. His 4 lessons for today's market?
"Beware one-company towns: Cities dependent on a single company or industry are more vulnerable to jarring downturns if the economy goes … (7 comments)

Edwin Newman (1919-2010) - He Valued Content Over Presentation - 09/16/10 07:42 PM
The death of veteran NBC broadcaster Edwin Newman on August 13 in Oxford, England was announced today.  Now many of you "young folks" won't remember Mr. Newman but he was an old school reporter/journalist/broadcaster who valued content over presentation - a rare commodity. 
He announced the death of John Kennedy on NBC radio and later anchored the network's coverage of the slayings of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy.

A frequent guest host on the "Today" show, Mr. Newman was famous for banishing the comedian George Jessel from the studio.  Mr. Jessel (another person many of you won;t … (0 comments)

Do You Ride the METRO? - 09/16/10 06:52 PM
Riding the METRO  - A Rapper's Lament
Last June, Arlington native Remy Munasifi hit the YouTube airwaves with a hysterical take on living the yuppie life in Northern Virginia. 
As the Washington Post noted, the rap makes "gentle sport of Virginia's most liberal community as a wonky, nice-but-maybe-too-nice haven for Prius-driving, latte-sipping, crunchy-granola-eating suburbanites." Thousand of hits later, Remy is taking on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority - or METRO.  Anyone who rides the METRO, for work or pleasure, will appreciate this good natured jab at a system that just can't get it right.  A few sample lyrics: "We … (0 comments)

Old Town Alexandria Renovation Takes It Down to the Studs - 09/15/10 09:03 PM
I pass this Old Town Alexandria renovation - right at the corner of Rt. 1 South and Queen Street -  at least 2-3 times a day and finally decided to stop and take some pictures. 

Notice the second set of steps to the right of the door way.  An addition was attached to the side of the house and used as a beauty parlor.

Front door entrance way

 
The house was boarded up for a long time, the overgrown "back yard" visible through a rotting fence. 
The new owner/developer has literally taken it down to … (4 comments)

If You Can't Say Something Nice, Don't Say Anything at All - 09/14/10 08:32 PM
If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.  
In our part of Alexandria - Old Town, Del Ray, Rosemont, Beverley Hills, etc. - neighborhood list servs are a big deal.  Much like one big party line, information is shared, items are sold, yard sales are announced, even if you just need to borrow something for the afternoon, the list servs can be your best friend.  In fact, the blog post we wrote on list servs last year has garnered over 50 comments/requests from residents in the area.  When we respond to a request for information, we always … (18 comments)

Winkler Botanical Preserve vs Virginia Department of Transportation and the Department of Defense - 09/13/10 04:33 PM
he Winkler Botanical Preserve, a small, fiercely loved and protected Alexandria enclave is the topic of a Town Hall meeting with Congressman Jim Moran on Thursday, September 16th.
These are the basic facts.  The Winkler Preserve, located off Beauregard St in the West End of Alexandria has co-existed quite peacefully with both commercial and residential developments for many years.
Then the Department of Defense announced it's Base Realignment and Closure Process or BRAC.
One of the major initiatives of BRAC for Northern Virginia was to move many of the offices surrounding the Pentagon to areas that would not be … (3 comments)

Scenic Sunday - The Stop Sign and the Sweet Peas - 09/12/10 04:10 PM
I'm sure there is some kind of regulation about vegetation growing on city signs but this eye catching stop in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood seems to have defied the powers that be. 

Plus, folks actually STOP here instead of just slowing down. And the best part?  It lasts well into fall, succumbing only with heavy frost. 

… (11 comments)

Where Were You on September 11, 2001? - 09/11/10 10:30 AM
Where were you on September 11, 2001?  Virginia and I were at an early morning appointment with our financial planner in Vienna, Va.  It was a first time meeting/planning session and we were optimistic about the future.  I was still in the tire business, Virginia was with a non-profit. As we came out of Tom's office his secretary said there was "something on the news" about a plane in New York.  Not thinking or knowing  much more about it, we got in the car and headed home.  It was then, listening to the radio, that the horror of the day began … (5 comments)

Challenging a Property Tax Assessment - 09/10/10 08:44 PM
In today's economy, with local governments pinching every penny, elevated tax assessments are a homeowner hazard.
It doesn't happen  every year, but when it does it can come as quite a shock.  If you think your property has been incorrectly assessed, let's look at some strategies for challenging a property tax assessment.
If the assessment is 10% of more higher than the true value of your home then the challenge probably makes sense.  If it is less than that then the challenge is probably not worth your time, or money.
To determine the actual market value of your property, … (4 comments)

Things to Do In Northern Virginia 2010 - 09/09/10 08:52 PM
Once again it's a busy fall season in Northern Virginia with a ton of things to do.  In fact, almost every weekend is jam packed.  So get your calendar out and start planning.  This is by no means a complete list but it reflects some of our very favorite people and places.
Fall is also a great time to buy a house.  Don't be discouraged by what you are hearing on the news.  Talk to a local real estate agent and get specific information about neighborhoods, prices, days on the market, financing, etc.  Don't forget that all real estate is local, … (2 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - Birds of a Feather? - 09/08/10 01:51 PM
I was out early this morning and, while stopped at the light at the end of our street, noticed that I wasn't the only one waiting for the light to turn green.  Is this what they mean by Birds of a Feather and all that flocking stuff?

 
Just never know when your camera is going to come in handy,
… (6 comments)

Best College Towns in America - 09/07/10 07:15 PM
In a report released today, Bing Travel names the Best College Towns in America.  The idea is that each of these cities has a major institution of higher learning plus major draws for visitors. 
In other words, if your family and friends are going to visit, these would be some of their favorite places, ivy covered walls or not:
Boston, MABoulder, COChicago, ILAthens, GAAustin, TXSan Diego, CANew Orleans, LAEugene, ORBerkley, CAGainesville, FLAnn Arbor, MISalt Lake CitySeattle, WA

I've been to 10 of the 13 and have to say it's a pretty good list.  But still, there are some glaring omissions … (2 comments)

Virginia - The Mother of Presidents - 09/06/10 08:57 PM
Virginia is known as the Mother of Presidents.  Eight United States Presidents, starting with George Washington, were born in Virginia, including six of our first 10 presidents.  The last president born in Virginia was Woodrow Wilson who was our 28th president. Most birthplaces or residences are open to the public and each is a unique reminder of the role that Virginia as played in the history of our country.  We have visited four of the seven and each has been a day well spent. 
George Washington, 1st, 1789-1797 Mt. Vernon, Alexandria, VA Thomas Jefferson, 3rd, 1801-1809 Monticello, Charlottesville, VA
James … (4 comments)

Who Knew? Official Symbols of Virginia - 09/05/10 09:32 PM
Who knew that Virginia has so many official symbols?  After our post on the state dog of Virginia, we decided to do a bit more nosing around and see what else had made it into the "official" category for Virginia.  Some of these were familiar, others, like the state boat were a bit more obscure. Official Symbols of Virginia:
Bat - Virginia Big Eared BatBeverage - MilkBird - CardinalBoat - Chesapeake Bay Dead RiseDance - Square DanceFish - Brook TroutFlower - American DogwoodFossil  - Chesapecten jeffersoniusInsect - Tiger Swallowtail ButterflyShell - OysterTree - American Dogwood

… (4 comments)

Who Knew? Virginia Has A State DOG! - 09/04/10 08:41 PM
Who knew?  Virginia has a state DOG!  And it turns out, 10 other states have official canine recognition too.  The latest state to recognize a dog is Alaska.  The Malamute was named state dog in May of this year. Virginia bestowed recognition on the American foxhound in 1966. 

The breed is a cross of English and French hounds and is used primarily for fox hunting. (Why am I suspicious that a legislator from Middleburg was behind this?) Other jurisdictions with state dogs are: Louisiana - (1979) Catahoula leopard dog. Maryland - (1964) Chesapeake Bay Retriever - the first state to … (2 comments)

Meet John Noelle, City of Alexandria Aborist - 09/03/10 10:30 PM
Are you new to the City of Alexandria?  Did your street lose trees during the August 5th storm?  Do you just want more trees on your block?
The you need to meet John Noelle.  John is the arborist for the City of Alexandria and is in charge of planting trees throughout the city.
Of course he's responsible for a lot more than just planting trees but it's a good place to start.
We met John last night at a gathering of neighbors in Del Ray.  Fox Vernon, neighbor, musician and blogger, organized the meeting and arranged for John to … (1 comments)

Del Merei Grille Wins Taste of Del Ray Award for 2010 - 09/02/10 11:12 PM
Walking, biking, or just strolling, hundreds of neighbors and friends turned tonight out for First Thursday.

Picture perfect skies and the advent of a holiday weekend made Mt. Vernon Avenue seem like one big street carnival.  Yoga demonstrations, wellness tables, doggie treats, balloons - you name it, we had it.
The real draw of course was the Taste of Del Ray at First Thursday.
Thirteen vendors served long lines of folks, all of whom waited with great good patience and then took the time to vote for their favorite.

And the winner of the Taste of … (5 comments)

Bellies and Babies Consignment Boutique in Alexandria, VA - 09/01/10 09:41 PM
Bellies and Babies Consignment Boutique in Alexandria is open and ready for business.
Occupying what was a former hardware in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood, specialty boutique Bellies and Babies is the creative genius of Dawn Luepke.


Dawn, like many of our local entrepreneurs, was a Capitol Hill staffer before moving to HUD as a project manager.
Marriage, to event planner Tim Luepke, and two children  - a boy and girls 15 months apart - meant a lot of maternity and baby clothes, a reevaluation of priorities and the idea for a great new business.

Located … (2 comments)