Virginia

Arlington Abbie awards, Lost Dog Cafe et al

11-21-09

Jane Jensen: Real Estate Agent in Arlington, VA

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Office: (571) 228-5656

Mobile: (571) 228-5656

Well, the votes are in for Arlington's favorite businesses. When new people come into the area and ask about restaurants, The Lost Dog Cafe is always on my list of recommendations....apparently it's on other people's list too. I feel just a bit smug in that the N. Arlington location is walking distance to my house. This award may make the wait a little longer. Thank goodness they've expanded and added a new restaurant in South Arlington. The list of all the winners is below. I have been to almost all of these places and it's one of the reasons I love this area.

Also, the Lebanese Taverna, and the Thai restaurant in the same area are also excellent (IMHO).

Here are the all the results for the 2009 Abbie winners:

Arlington's Best "Bargain" Restaurant Lost Dog Cafe

Arlington's Best Boutique ShoeFly

Arlington's Best Brunch Carlyle

Arlington's Best Customer Service Pacers Running Stores

Arlington's Best Dessert Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe

Arlington's Best Family Friendly Restaurant Lost Dog Cafe

Arlington's Best Happy Hour Whitlow's on Wilson Bar & Grill

Arlington's Best Late Night Spot Bob and Edith's Diner

Arlington's Best Place to Learn Something New Arlington Public Library

Arlington's Best Neighborhood Bar Whitlow's on Wilson Bar & Grill

Arlington's Best New Business Lost Dog Cafe, South Arlington location

Arlington's Best Community-Based Nonprofit Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC)

Arlington's Best Performing Arts Organization Signature Theatre

Arlington's Best Place to Care for Your Pet Ballston Animal Hospital

Arlington's Best Place to Dance the Night Away Clarendon Ballroom

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The Arts in Arlington, Va.

11-21-09

Jane Jensen

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Office: (571) 228-5656

Mobile: (571) 228-5656

Arlington,Va has a very vibrant art and culture community.

Here's are a few examples:

There will be a "Fabulous Night of Tango" brought to you by National Chamber Ensemble at the Rosslyn Spectrum. 1611 N. Kent St. Tickets are available from $25.00

IMAGE/PROJECT AT THE ARLINGTON ARTS CENTER
November 20 - January 16, 2010
Opening Reception: Friday, Nov. 20. 6 - 9 pm
3550 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201 703-248-6800

AAC's national juried show of photo and video work reflects the ways in which contemporary artists tend to approach photography and video: some view photography as either a means for documenting or presenting cross-disciplinary projects, others as a tool for enquiry into the ways we perceive and live in the world. Works were chosen by Guggenheim fellow and internationally recognized artist Taryn Simon.

If you would like to get on the email list for regular updates on cultural events, click the link below and subscribe to the newsletter:

https://www.arlingtonva.us/subscriptions/subscribe.asp

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Introduction to Island Creek

11-21-09

Will Nesbitt - condos / real estate in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County

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Office: (703) 765-0300

Island Creek is a planned community of single-family homes, town homes and condominiums in southeastern Fairfax County, Virginia. The single family homes and townhouses have a traditional, colonial-feel. The condos of Island Creek look like very large traditional homes, and usually have 4 condos per building. All Island Creek residents enjoy the following amenities:

a community pool,
4 tennis courts,
several basketball courts and
children's play areas.

Island Creek Elementary School is located within walking distance of the community. Island Creek is found just off Buelah St. in Franconia. This location puts Island Creek less than 3 miles from the Franconia-Springfield metro station and in close proximity to Fort Belvoir.

As part of the Kingstowne/Franconia community, Island Creek has a well-developed commercial/retail support system. The Springfield and Landmark Malls, the Kingstown Library and post office, two day care centers, schools and three major food stores are all within 10 minutes driving distance. In addition, Kingstowne Towne Center has:

Safeway,
a movie theatre,
a bank,
Macaroni Grill,
Chipotle,
Uno's,
Panera Bread,
several fast-food restaurants
Wolf Camera,
T.J. Maxx,
Home Goods, and
World Market.

Across the street next to the post office are a Toys-R-Us, Kohls, Walmart, and La-Z-Boy.

There are a variety of condos, townhouses and houses for sale at Island Creek at any given time. Here's the latest as of the time of this post. Check here for an update of what's for sale at Island Creek.

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Thermal Camera - The New Smell Detector?

11-21-09

Jay Markanich

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Office: (703) 330-6388

Mobile: (703) 585-7560

On a recent thermal examination of a house I was called on to find the usual - diagnose why rooms are hot and cold, if recent roof repairs stopped further moisture intrusion as intended, and so forth. It went well.

I had a very unusual diagnosis to make also. My client said, "When I am standing at my kitchen sink, I can smell what is going on outdoors. For example, when my neighbor fertilizes his yard, I can smell it almost immediately."

There are many things a thermal image camera can detect, but I have never used it to diagnose fertilizer smells.

But why not try? So I set out to find the problem. Air infiltration was happening somewhere. But where?

Looking above the kitchen sink it wasn't hard to see why.

The sink is located in a 3 foot bump out, with its own double window. That's a pretty common architectural design. But looking above we see why air, and smells, can get in. The left image is of the window and the ceiling above the sink. The right image is the corner of that bump out, over the corner cabinet. The cannister lights and square light over the sink are evident.

The purple area is the ceiling of that bump out. There is no insulation there! That area is 58 degrees F. The outdoor temperature is 55F. There are soffit vents under the gutter just over that window, where air is supposed to get in. It does!

What is in that air will easily filter into the kitchen, through those lights and even through the drywall! Hence, the fertilizer smell.

She said, "Oh, so that's why it gets so hot and cold there when I am at the sink!" Um, yes!

My recommendation: Don't underestimate the power of your home inspector's thermal infrared camera! We inspectors are finding new uses for them every day!

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We ALL Need Water to Survive

11-21-09

Gina Tufano

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Office: (703) 574-3478

Mobile: (703) 973-0632

Recall back in science class in junior high when you learned in science class that water makes up over 70% of your body, but yet less than 1% of the Earth's water is clean enough to drink? I hope you are nodding your head "yes." Now let's help keep water from being contaminated with pollutants. A few minutes out of your day could mean less pollutants end up in local drinking water wells and in the habitats of local wildlife.

Loudoun County residents are strongly urged to drop off unwanted paints, stains, fuels, cleaners, and other hazardous wastes to Heritage High School in Leesburg on Saturday, November 21st, from 8:30am-2:30pm during the Household Hazardous Waste collection event. The next collection will be has yet to be announced, but Loudoun County authorities say it will be held after the New Year.