Active Rain/Tomato Blog

Is It Dry? Woodburning Tips for a Great, Crackling Fire

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:15:42 -0600

Ok, so you've done your annual fireplace inspection and now you're ready to buy firewood. Follow these smart woodburning tips for a great, crackling fire

1) Always check your source. Buy your firewood by the cord or rick instead of a whole truckload and you'll get exactly what you pay for. A standard cord of firewood is 128 cubic feet of wood, generally measured as a stack 8 ft. long by 4 ft. tall by 4 ft. deep. A rick is 8 ft. long by 4 ft. tall by the depth of the wood (approximately 18 inches.)

2) Is it dry? Dry, well seasoned firewood, with an average moisture content of 20-25 percent is easier to start, produces more heat and burns cleaner.

Home improvement stores sell inexpensive, hand held moisture meters to check your wood. In a pinch though, you can simply bang two pieces together. If the two pieces of seasoned wood are banged together, they make a "clunk." Two pieces of green wood will make a "thud."

3) Species. Species doesn't matter as much as moisture content. Premium hardwoods are great but softer woods like elm and even maple make fine hardwood as long as you are willing to make a few extra trips to the woodpile.

4) Store smart. Wood should be stored off the ground if possible and protected from excess moisture. Termites will think they have died and gone too heaven in your woodpile so keep only a small amount near your house.

Remember, probably the most important question you can ask is, "Is It Dry?" for a great crackling fire.

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

The Last Flowers of Fall

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:23:23 -0600

Just four days from Thanksgiving we still have hydrangeas blooming in our front yard - the last flowers of fall. But now, instead of pale blues and pinks, the colors mirror the surrounding trees. We'll cut some this afternoon and enjoy their dried beauty long into winter.

The Last Flowers of Fall

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Saying Goodby to A Kitty Friend - Mr. Mac

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:54:50 -0600

Today we said goodbye to Mr. Mac, our 20 year old 20 lb orange red mountain lion of a cat. We were not Mac's first family but we were his last and nobody loved him better.

Mac came to us after losing his original homeowner to cancer. He made a brief stop at my brothers but another, far less mannered feline, made the situation untenable. Mac moved onto Howell Avenue and never looked back.

He was known to one and all, afraid of neither man nor beast and fairly indiscriminate with his affection. Our next door neighbor reported one day that Mac, sensing a new opportunity, entered an open door and made himself at home in an upstairs bedroom. Location was not a deterrent to a good nap.

A strappingly handsome chap, Mac was stolen one year from our front yard by someone who wanted to give him as a Christmas present. We recovered him, weeks later, only because he had been rescued (yet again!) by the neighbor of the woman who did NOT want him as a Christmas present but saw our wanted poster at the local vet's office.

He loved to eat and expected a full bowl at all times. Chicken was a favorite along with my morning cereal but shrimp put him right over the top. He kept his own dining hours and expected that I would match my routine to his. Not much for playtime, Mac preferred to supervise rather than participate in any activity that required excessive locomotion. That being said, a loose shoe string or belt always got his attention.

Mac enjoyed a good college basketball game and was a Redskins fan but thought golf was a snooze. And NACAR? He didn't give it the time of day. He loved sleeping in the garden, most often under a spread of hostas or on the chaise. He claimed a chair or sofa in each room in the house and did not take kindly to being moved. After all, it was his house and we were there at his indulgence.

He was my constant companion and I will miss him dearly.

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Six Things to Check Before You Cozy Up to the Fire

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:49:35 -0600

Winter is fast approaching and there are six things to check before you cozy up to the fire. It's not particularly glamorous or fun but there are definitely things that you need to check out on a yearly basis before you even begin to think about chestnuts roasting on an open fire . . . .

Spring and early summer are the very best times to have your annual fireplace inspection and generally the cheapest. Still, if you've put it off till now it's not too late.

The degree of maintenance will depend on what kind of fireplace you have. A masonry fireplace is one constructed entirely of bricks or stone and mortar and are almost always found in older or more rustic homes. A factory-build fireplace consists of a metal firebox and chimney.

If you are not sure which you have there are a couple of easy clues. First, the hearth or floor of a masonry fireplace is usually constructed of bricks joined with mortar. Factory-built fireplaces use refractory panels made of a pale grey heat-resistant stone.

Look up through the damper - a masonry fireplace will have a large void called the smoke chamber but a factory-built unit will connect directly to a round, stainless steel pipe.

Finally, take a look at your chimney. If you have a square cap or no cap at all, it's pretty sure you have a masonry built fireplace. On the other hand, a round cap is a sure sign of a factory built unit.

Now that you know what you have, let's look at the six things you need to check.

Foundation: supports the entire structure of a masonry fireplace and can weigh several tons

Should be inspected when buying a new home, if you have questions check with a home inspector

Firebox: recessed area where the fire is built.

Are the bricks or mortar loose or cracked? If so, you run a risk of the fire not being properly contained as it burns.
For a factory-built fireplace, look for cracks in the refractory panels. If there are gaps through which you can fit a quarter, then the panels need to be replaced.

Damper: mechanism that separates the interior of the fireplace from portions exposed to the exterior of your home.

The damper must be closed when the fireplace is not in use to prevent heat and cool air from escaping. Before using the fireplace, test the lever to see that the damper opens and closes properly. If must be able to open and stay open for proper venilation once a fire is built.

Flue: passageway through which smoke and sparks are carried up and out.

A flue will accumulate creosote, a natural build up of carbon which can ignite on its own and cause a fire. The flue should be inspected annually (something you can do). Take a yardstick and scrape some of the soot from the inside. If the buildup appears to be more than a quarter-inch thick, then you need to call a chimney sweep for a good cleaning.

Chimney: structure surrounding one or more flues and all related components.

Make sure the roof flashing is in good repair, directing water away from the chimney structure and that masonry chimneys are in good condition with no loose mortar.

Chimney cap: keeps pests and damaging elements out and has a spark arrestor to prevent floating embers from causing a fire.

If you chimney does not have a cap - and many masonry units do not, it pays to invest in one to keep out water, birds and squirrels. A damaged or leaking cap should be replaced.

So there you are, six things to check before you cozy up to the fire.

Wait! You don't have a house with a fireplace? Call me at 703.927.4554 and let's find you one.

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

October 2009 Home Sales in Alexandria's Old Town Neighborhood

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:37:53 -0600

October 2009 home sales in Alexandria's Old Town neighborhood show identical DOM (days of market) as in October 2008 and an increase of one in the number of sales.

The exciting news is that the average sold price shows an 8.8 percent increase from $611,462 in October 2008 to $670,236 in October 2009.

This steadfastness in total sales, along with the 2009 price increase, speaks to the overall health of the housing market in Northern Virginia.

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Rogue Mortgage Swindle = 12 Year Prison Term

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:21:05 -0600

Joy Jackson, a Maryland woman who stole millions from area homeowners in a rogue mortgage swindle has been sentenced to a 12 prison term. Operating out of Lanham, MD, Jackson's scheme touched hundreds of vulnerable homeowners in Northern Virginia, the District and Maryland.

The Metropolitan Money Store promised to help people keep their homes and repair their credit. According to the Washington Post, " the company directed owners to transfer title of their homes to third-party buyers for a year. During that time, Metropolitan said it would borrow against the value of the house and use that money to pay the mortgage and repair homeowner's credit ratings.

It also promised to help owners obtain better interest rates. Instead, Metropolitan siphoned off the equity and Jackson and others spent the cash. The company also stopped making mortgage payments on the houses."

Jackson used the cash to buy jewelry, fur coats and vacations and to cover a lavish wedding at the Mayflower Hotel where guests dined on lobster and champagne and were serenaded by Patti LaBelle.

For a person who preyed on the most vulernable and the least knowledable I'm not sure 12 years is long enough.

Rogue Mortgage Swindle = 12 Year Prison Term.

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Blogging the Frugal Life Style in Alexandria and Northern Virginia

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:15:29 -0600

Blogging the frugal life style does not belong only to the "experts." Indeed, individuals in Alexandria and Northern Virginia are contributing to the blogging landscape with a wide variety of offerings on how to survive - and thrive - in what some have called "lifestyle deflation."

Some of the blogs are quite professional and have advertisers but most are your basic do-it- yourself blog.

Stay at home moms, young couples and singles all offer their take on making the most of every dollar. Some share month to month grocery budgets, complete with store by store sales while other focus on activities and taking advantage of coupons. Anyway you look at it, its easy to access information that anyone can use.

Here are some of our favorites:

This list is just the tip of the iceberg. Almost all of the blogs reference other blogs so be prepared to spend some time surfing and finding out about the best bargains in the area - it's contagious!

Blogging the Frugal Life Style in Alexandria and Northern Virginia

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Mortgage Rates Show Slight Decrease for Home Buyers in Alexandria

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:45:03 -0600

Mortgage rates are showing a slight decrease for home buyers in Alexandria with FHA, VA and conforming conventional loans in the 5 percent and 0 point range. Rob Clark, our go to mortgage guy offers this observation on the market:

"With limited economic data released last week, mortgage rates continued their recent trend of slowly moving downward. While we continue to see limited activity outside of conforming and FHA-backed mortgages, it is worth noting that jumbo mortgages are beginning to reappear more widely in the market, and the difference between conforming and jumbo rates has been shrinking.

This is a week full of economic data for markets to sort through. With recent signs that the labor market could be hitting bottom, any signal that indicates that the recovery is beginning to power up could start pressuring mortgage rates upward.

Both Retail Sales and Industrial Production are due this week. If these two influential reports show greater strength than anticipated, then the likelihood of increasing rates will grow. However, if they both come in lower than expected, we could see this trend of very slowly decreasing rates continue.

Both the PPI and CPI also are also due this week. If they are near expectations, they will create some additional downward pull on rates."

Next we'll be bringing you up to date information on the extension of the first time home owners tax credit so stay tuned.

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Nook - The Latest in E-Reader Technology

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:12:50 -0600

What is "nook"? Nook is the latest in e-reader techonology and it's being introduced this month by Barnes & Noble - a reading tool designed by book people for book people.

I've had this post in mind for several days and then tonight just happened on a post by Erica Ramus who was asking about the Kindle so I knew there was no time to waste. In the spirit of full disclosure though, I will tell you that my wife works for B&N so I've been totally indoctrinated and privy to lots of information.

One of the key questions that Erica asked was "Do you miss BOOKS"? My take on this e-reader trend is that it's not about giving up books but simply sourcing them in a different way.

For instance, my wife and I love to listen to books on tape on long car trips. We get to hear something together that we might not ordinarily tackle, she doesn't get motion sickness from trying to read and there are no radio commercials! But when we get back home, yep, the books are still piled beside the bed.

Early feed back from customers coming into my wife's store is that nook will be a life saver for frequent (air) travelers, folks who have downsized or are planning to, college students, and, interestingly, mothers. Air travelers make perfect sense - with all the space and weight restrictions, downloading 10-15 books into 11 oz of carry on is a no brainer.

Folks in small houses or condo's can still buy all the books they want on line and save precious space for that special book on art or travel or that one book beside the bed. College students can download text books - bottom line on that category. And now for mothers. Mothers never know when or where they are going to get 5, 10, maybe even 20 minutes of time to themselves. With nook they can have the morning paper, a favorite magazine or the latest biography right at their fingertips.

Ummmmmmmmmm, that last description sounds like it could apply to real estate agents too. But don't take my word for it. Click here for a complete nook product description and here for a competitive checklist. Price - $259. Click here for a review from Gaget World.

Books are NOT going away but how we use and read some of them may change, just like the changes we have seen in real estate transactions.

Nook - the latest in e-reader technology.

Questions?

P.S. - nook is officially lowercase according to B&N

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

A November Sunday on the George Washington Parkway

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:12:13 -0600

On a beautiful November Sunday, the George Washington Parkway was alive with activity - biking, walking, running and sitting on a bench - and wonderfully quiet in its beauty.

A November Sunday on the George Washington Parkway.

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

October Home Sales in Alexandria's Del Ray Neighborhood

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:39:37 -0600

October home sales in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood show a decline in the number of sales from a year ago - 15 in 2008 to 10 in 2009 - but with an increase in home values.

The average price is up almost 9.4% with the average number of DOM (days on market) down from 91 to 50 for the same time period.

These numbers are a good reflection of both the stability of the real estate market in Northern Virginia and the continuing overall turnaround.

Want to know more specifics about October home sales in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood? Give me a call at 703.927.4554 or email me at michael.bergin2@verizon.net.

Northern Virginia Ranks at #3 for Nation’s Healthiest Housing Markets

October Market Report for Alexandria and Northern Virginia

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Alexandria's Waterfront Parks - Rivergate

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:03:50 -0600

Rivergate, the second in our series about Alexandria's Waterfront Parks, is also one of the smallest. A little less than 2 acres, the park is located at the junction of Madison Street and the Potomac River.

In fact, driving south on Madison Street will lead you directly into a small parking lot for this space. Bordered on the north by Tide Lock Park and on the south by Oronoco Bay Park, Rivergate is a tidy nugget in the linear parks that front the Potomac River.

Although considered a city park, Rivergate is actually owned by the Rivergate Owners Association with permanent public access to the waterfront park area. The land east of the bike path is maintained by the city with an annual contribution from the association.

Rivergate City Park offers cycling, jogging, shaded picnic tables, all important benches for sitting and a terrific volleyball court.

Another feature of the park's location is the Alexandria Boat House, a joint venture of the City and T.C. Williams High School. While the high school boasts a nationally and internationally known rowing program, the facility is also home to Alexandria Community Rowing.

The boat house in an integral part of the Alexandria community and a perfect addition to its waterfront.

This rain will be over soon and when it is, treat yourself with a visit to one of Alexandria's Waterfront Parks at Rivergate.

Related Story:

Alexandria’s Waterfront Parks - Tide Lock

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Flooding Causes State of Emergency in Virginia

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:38:47 -0600

Govenor Tim Kaine has declared a state of emergency in Virginia because of costal flooding. The authorization will allow agencies to take necessary precautions as the state continues to experience the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida and a costal Nor'easter.

Officials anticipate flooding could last through Friday evening as the state experiences sustained periods of rain and storm surges. Conditions were expected to be worst in the Hampton Roads region, including Poquoson and Norfolk, where several dozen residents have already been rescued from their homes.

Alexandria is also vulnerable, especially low lying commerical and residential areas in Old Town and south along the George Washington Parkway.

photo by Joe Gidjunis

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Del Ray's MV Big Flea is Ready for Donations

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:35:11 -0600

Del Ray's MV Big Flea is ready to start taking donations for its April 24th sale. Wait. What? You're new to the area and don't know about the MV Big Flea?

Alexandria's biggest charity flea market, the MV BIG FLEA is organized by and supports the Mt. Vernon Community School PTA. Located in the heart of Del Ray, this annual event raises more than $25,000 for PTA projects.

And now that you know - the Big Flea is accepting drop-off donations at its storage site: 409 E. Alexandria Avenue on Sunday, November 22nd--from 1-3pm only.

The MV Big Flea accepts items that have resale value. In recent years, that has included electronics, furniture, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, kids items (toys, strollers), bicycles, household furnishings, sporting goods, artwork, small appliances and more. If you think your item can be resold, we’ll likely accept it.

We’ve also learned that some items just aren’t right for the MV Big Flea. As a result, we cannot accept the following items for donation:

Clothing
Chandeliers/ceiling fans
Large upholstered furniture, beds or cribs
Stuffed animals
Building supplies
Pillows/curtains/linens
TVs (flatscreen OK) or computer hardware
Books (Contact Thom Downing, Friends of Duncan Library, at iuthom@aol.com)

For more information and additonal drop off dates, visit the MV Big Flea's Web site.

Del Ray's MV Big Flea is Ready for Donations

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Alexandria Group Home Residents Aim for Special Olympics

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:46:48 -0600

A few weeks ago we wrote about our neighborhood chili cook off and how a particular group of folks had turned an otherwise dismal, rainy night into an unforgettable occasion. Particular because the group all live at the Bellefonte Group Home. The home is a part of the Alexandria Community Services Board and each of the 16 adults has special needs.

In addition to winning the 8th Annual Del Ray Chili Cook Off, the group, self-named "the MOB" (Members of Bellefonte), have set their sights on entering their basketball team - the Wizards - in the national Special Olympics.

The Wizards won the local Special Olympics basketball tournament in 2008. They knew they could do better though and with the encouragement of their coach they set themselves a rigorous training and practice schedule. They also began raising money for entry fees, uniforms and trophies to give out at the upcoming local venue in December.

So far the Wizards have raised $800 through several bake sales, a yard sale and a raffle. They've done this on their own and with some help from their neighbors at Bellefonte Garden Apartments.

But now its time for the entire community to get involved. Last night the Del Ray Citizens Association announced that it would support the Wizards with a community bake sale this Saturday at the Del Ray Farmers Market. There are three ways to help:

Bake and donate - bring your favorite baked goods to the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning to contribute to the sale. Whole pies and cakes, wrapped single serving brownies, a bag of cookies, etc. (please mark ingredients for those with food allergies)
Buy and donate - stop by the Bellefonte Wizard's booth at the market and stock up for the week!
Donate directly - for those without a sweet tooth (or watching their waistlines) we'll collect donations at the booth or you can mail a donation to Bellefonte Wizards, c/o A Show of Hands, 2301 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301.

Several individuals have pledged to match whatever money to bake sale brings in so now is not the time to be shy. This is a great community effort by Alexandrian's, supporting a group home in their bid for the Special Olympics, and another example of why Del Ray is our favorite place to live.

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Veterans Day at Christ Church Alexandria

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:15:25 -0600

The parish rolls of Christ Church Alexandria, the home church of George Washington and Robert E. Lee, are filled with the names of men and women who have served their country in military service.

From four star generals and admirals to combat pilots and coast guard commanders to privates and warrant officers, they are all part of a great legacy.

To honor that legacy, Christ Church Alexandria celebrates Veterans Day in very special way.

A "wall of heroes" - photos of those who have served, past and present - is put up for all to see. Parishioners are invited to add photos of themselves or family members; a program and reception is presented between services; and a guest preacher offers the sermon.

Past speakers have included Secretary of Veteran Affairs Togo West, Gordon Sullivan, Chief of Staff of the Army,and Ron Nessen, a war correspondent and press secretary to former president Gerald Ford.

Rev. Michael Pipkin

Today's speaker, former Navy Chaplain and rector of the Falls Church Continuing Congregation, brought his very recent experiences in Iraq and at Bethesda Naval Hospital to a welcoming crowd. Rev. Pipkin noted the wall of heroes even as he spoke of the horror and inhumanity that is war and how he remains forever changed by his experience.

My Vietnam days

Thank you to all who have served and thank you to Christ Church for honoring its veterans.

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Lincoln Memorial by Moonlight

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:59:20 -0600

One of the great joys of living in the Alexandria/Northern Virginia area is easy access to some of the nation's most famous landmarks. Last night's full moon, rising above the Lincoln Memorial, provided a memorable sight and a great reminder of why we love it here.

A friend of ours, Julie Wommack, took this with her mobile phone on the way to choir practice!

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Alexandria's Waterfront Parks - Tide Lock

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:58:05 -0600

The City of Alexandria maintains a series of 14 waterfront parks along the Potomac River.

Each is relatively small but together they form a linear line some two miles in length and are anchored by the Mt. Vernon Bike Trail. Each one carries a marker denoting its hours, size and historical identity. Today we will visit Tide Lock Park.

Tide Lock Park

Tide Lock Park consists of 6.70 acres that are completely accessible to the waterfront and takes its name from an old canal that existed in the 1800's.

The remains of the canal were discovered during the construction of an office building and were incorporated into the design.

These artificial waterways were used to move goods and materials to and from sea going ships. The goods were then transported by canal barges up and down the canal which were controlled by huge wooden locks. The last of the Alexandria canals were destroyed by floods in the early 1820's and were never re-built because the railroads were beginning to take over.

Today there is a replica of the lock and canal which uses many of original canal wall stones and is an integral part of the landscape for the Trans Potomac Canal Center/Savage Fogarty which maintains this property with permanent public access.

Tide Lock Park also includes quiet spots for sitting, an outdoor amphitheater, water features and examples of Greco Roman sculpture. Truly a tiny gem, Tide Lock is a green respite for workers, visitors and residents and one of the things that makes Alexandria a great place to live.

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Halloween on Lee Street in Old Town Alexandria

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:56:35 -0500

Just like folks have destination weddings, trick or treat hopefuls have destination Halloween locations. And in Old Town Alexandria that means only one thing - Lee Street.

An old fashioned block party in the best sense of the word, the Lee Street Halloween extravaganza stretches for six blocks between Gibbon and King.

With cooperation from the Alexandria police, the street is open only to foot traffic. The party starts as early as 5:00pm, for the little ones, and goes as late as 10:00pm.

What makes Halloween on Lee Street so much fun is that every one gets in on the act. Houses are decorated, costumed homeowners are waiting on the doorstep (no having to ring the doorbell here) and adults, children and dogs join in on the party.

Of course some of the adults have secret liquid "potions" that they only share with other adults!

No small venture, one Old Town resident told us they have to buy so much candy - some 3000+ pieces - that they order it online to get the best price!

Like we said, Halloween on Lee Street in Old Town Alexandria is a destination spot and folks come from miles around.

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Edgar Allen Poe Visits Alexandria on Halloween

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:24:44 -0500

Edgar Allen Poe first visited Alexandria in 1849. One hundred and sixty years later, he will make a return visit - thanks to actor David Keltz - on Halloween.

Appearing at the Lyceum in Old Town, Keltz will recreate the magic of Poe's visit to Alexandria with readings from "The Raven," "Annabelle," and "The Tell-Tale Heart" among other Poe favorites.

Click here for tickets and more information. What better way to spend Halloween than with the master of suspense - Edgar Allen Poe.

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

A Pot of Chili Made All the Difference

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:28:02 -0500

Let me tell you right off the bat that this is a feel good kind of story. The kind of story that makes you think about being kinder, a bit more patient, and perhaps seeing your neighbors in a whole new light. This is how a pot of chili made all the difference.

Our block in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood hosts a chili "cook off" every year. It is very informal, open to all and operates primarily by word of mouth. Some years it's a grand, busting at the seams affair, other times, it's small and just an excuse to get together.

From our neighbor and uber chili organzier, Laura Fries:

"Yesterday was the Chili Cook-Off. Yes, the day with the driving rain and wind coming down hardest just when the cook-off was supposed to start. The host families were talking of canceling - we had given it a good shot but the weather, for a second weekend in a row, wasn't cooperating.

The we looked out into the yard and there, huddled under the tent, were at least half a dozen residents of the group home from the next block. They had made a pot of chili. They weren't leaving. Some had walkers, others were in wheelchairs and, despite trying to stay under the tent, they were getting soaked.

It was clear the show had to go on. We put on rain coats and boots, grabbed some umbrellas and brought out our pot of chili. We figured that even if there were just two or three entires to taste, it would make the group home people happy. Then something really amazing happened.

People started showing up. Lots of them. They came with different umbrellas, pots of chili and corn bread, cakes and pies. People went from tent to tent tasting eight different kinds of chili - two vegetarian and one with duck and rabbit! Nobody seemd to care about the rain and a few neighbors new to the experience couldn't stop raving.

There was something happening here. As he does every year, the Sherriff of Alexandria, Dana Lawhorne, came by to count the ballots. (Yes, we have official ballots and everything.) It had stopped raining by then and we lit a fire and sat around on hay bales waiting for the announcement, the moment of truth had come.

Turns out, the Wicked Wizards, the group home contestants who ran their wheelchairs through the mud and hung out all day in the rain, won first prize for their pot of chili. I cannot adequately express their joy. The supervisor of the group home accepted the homemade award on their behalf and it almost brought the whole crowd to tears. He talked about how people with physical and mental challenges always feel on the outside of everything and that today they were winners and a true part of the neighborhood. It was one of the best cook off's ever."

And that my friends, is how a pot of chili made all the difference.

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

The 2009 Del Ray Halloween Parade - Funky, Friendly and Fun!

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:35:40 -0500

With the Mayor, most of Alexandria's City Council and U.S. Representative Jim Moran in attendance, the 2009 Del Ray Halloween Parade showed off under crisp blue skies only slightly behind schedule and with a record crowd.

A true home grown event, the Del Ray Halloween Parade is a chance for everyone - dogs, parents, babies, etc. - to put on a costume, or at least a funny hat, and make their way down Mt. Vernon Avenue.

And if you didn't want to "parade" it was perfectly acceptable to simply observe.

The really smart folks grabbed every available table at outdoor dining spots along the parade route which made it a great day for all of Del Ray's businesses.

Capping the night off - the Spooky Bean Halloween sponsored by Bean Creative on Mt. Vernon Avenue.

A special shout out to Gayle Reuter, the driving force behind the Del Ray Halloween Parade. It wouldn't get done without you!

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Not Even Halloween is Recession Proof in Alexandria's Del Ray Neighborhood

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:40:27 -0500

One of our neighbors at 210 Monroe Avenue in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood has taken Halloween decorating to a whole new level with this "vivid" depiction of events of the past year or so in the financial markets.

As much as I like to take the "high road" I have to admit that the image of Bernie Madoff makes me chuckle and I think the little pigs are really appropriate.

Thanks to one of our regular subscribers for alerting us to these great images. Stay tuned tomorrow for scenes from the Del Ray Halloween Parade.

Michael

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Virginia Ranked as Top State for Business for Fourth Straight Year

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:56:21 -0500

Virginia has just been ranked as the top state for business for the fourth straight year by Forbes Magazine. According to reporter Kurt Badenhausen, the Best States ranking measures six vital categories for businesses:

costs
labor supply
regulatory environment
current economic climate
growth prospects
quality of life

Thirty three different points of data determine the ranks in the six main areas. Business costs, which include labor, energy and taxes are weighted the most heavily. Nine different providers supply data with Moody's Economy.com being the most utilized resource.

Badenhausen goes on to say: Relative to the rest of the country, Virginia is booming. Its 6.5% unemployment rate is fifth lowest in the country with the four states ahead of it all having dramatically smaller economies and employment bases.

Virginia is the only state ranked in the top 20 in each of the six broad categories we examined. The state finished in the top three in half of those categories (labor supply, regulatory environment and quality of life). Virginia's $325 billion economy is expected to be the 10th largest in the U.S. in 2009.

The state benefits from a highly educated workforce that is expected to expand over the next five years. Energy costs are 30% below the national average. The state government's finances are in good shape--it's held on to a top AAA rating from Moody's since 1971.

Eleven public companies with more than $10 billion in revenues call it home and smart incentives help, too. Each year Park Ridge, Ill.-based Pollina Corporate Real Estate does a study that compares states' economic development departments and programs. This year Virginia topped the Pollina study after finishing second last year.

"Virginia's economic development department truly understands what global competition is all about," says Brent Pollina, who authored the study. The Virginia Jobs Investment Program, for example, is open to both new and existing companies and offers flexible and customized employee recruiting and job training for businesses. The program has helped more than 2,400 companies over the past five years recruit and train 75,000 Virginians.

On the downside, Badenhausen did note that Virginia's economy has deteriorated, with the number of unemployed soaring 60%, while gross state product is flat and household incomes are expected to fall 4 percent.

All in all, this is continued good news for the housing market.

Related story: Northern Virginia Ranks at #3 for Nation’s Healthiest Housing Markets

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Scenic Sunday at Historic Christ Church Alexandria

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:25:50 -0500

This week's offering is a bit different than our normal "Scenic Sundays" but it was an opportunity I didn't want to miss. Yesterday some 40 members of the World Association of Flower Arrangers, gathered at historic Christ Church Alexandria for a hands on course in "How to Decorate a Colonial Church."

After a morning spent building wreaths, swags, candle rings, roping and more, the group moved to the main church to put their pieces in place. The result? Beauty worthy of any interior design magazine and a glorious tribute to a church that has stood for more than 250 years.

Double click on each photo to bring it to full size. Enjoy -

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Active Rain/Tomato Blog

Is It Dry? Woodburning Tips for a Great, Crackling Fire

The Last Flowers of Fall

Saying Goodby to A Kitty Friend - Mr. Mac

Six Things to Check Before You Cozy Up to the Fire

October 2009 Home Sales in Alexandria's Old Town Neighborhood

Rogue Mortgage Swindle = 12 Year Prison Term

Blogging the Frugal Life Style in Alexandria and Northern Virginia

Mortgage Rates Show Slight Decrease for Home Buyers in Alexandria

Nook - The Latest in E-Reader Technology

P.S. - nook is officially lowercase according to B&N

A November Sunday on the George Washington Parkway

October Home Sales in Alexandria's Del Ray Neighborhood

Related articles:

Northern Virginia Ranks at #3 for Nation’s Healthiest Housing Markets

October Market Report for Alexandria and Northern Virginia

Alexandria's Waterfront Parks - Rivergate

Alexandria’s Waterfront Parks - Tide Lock

Flooding Causes State of Emergency in Virginia

Del Ray's MV Big Flea is Ready for Donations

Alexandria Group Home Residents Aim for Special Olympics

Veterans Day at Christ Church Alexandria

Lincoln Memorial by Moonlight

Alexandria's Waterfront Parks - Tide Lock

Tide Lock Park

Halloween on Lee Street in Old Town Alexandria

Edgar Allen Poe Visits Alexandria on Halloween

A Pot of Chili Made All the Difference

The 2009 Del Ray Halloween Parade - Funky, Friendly and Fun!

Not Even Halloween is Recession Proof in Alexandria's Del Ray Neighborhood

Virginia Ranked as Top State for Business for Fourth Straight Year

Related story: Northern Virginia Ranks at #3 for Nation’s Healthiest Housing Markets

Scenic Sunday at Historic Christ Church Alexandria