Arts on the Avenue, Del Ray's premier fall showcase, was the highlight of a very busy weekend here in Northern Virginia. The rain gods went elsewhere and thousands of folks showed up to stroll Mt. Vernon Avenue.
Whether taking in artists from around the country, feasting on a variety of foods from local restaurants and being entertained by Irish Step Dancers, Tappers with Attitude or Greek Folk Dancers, it was a day of pure pleasure.
Come see us sometime, we'd love to show you around.
Villamay is a suburban community of 278 homes in the southern reaches of Alexandria, bordered by Fort Hunt Road, the George Washington Parkway, Belle Vista Drive and Huntley Place.
Houses range in size from 2.900 to 3,800 sq. ft., with two to three stories, on gently curving streets, some of which have sweeping views of the Potomac River.
Built originally by a Texas civil engineer, Gene May, the homes were designed following six basic styles. Most were built on quarter to half acre lots between 1958 and 1966. Homeowners could customize to a certain extent with parquet floors, a first floor master bedroom and air conditioning (!).
Because of Villamay's proximity to the Potomac, the land is governed by the Virginia wetlands preservation and protection laws.
Renovations that alter existing plantings, particularly trees, requires owners to obtain a permit and sometimes to replant or add trees.
Residents make ready use of the GW Parkway and the network of local parks owned and maintained by the Fairfax County Park Authority. Sound like something you'd like to see? Check out the full story in the Washington Post and then let's go look at property.
My brother-in-law was on his way to Kuwait yesterday for his third tour of duty as a civilian medic/teacher/VIP security detail nurse so we made a quick trip out to Dulles International Airport
to catch him between flights. About 26 miles west of Alexandria, Dulles sits on 10,000 acres of land and was designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen.
What immediately caught my eye as we got into the terminal were the airport police who were using Segway's to get around this giant transportation hub. I was able to snag one of the rolling wonders on traffic duty - a fluid vision of balance and dexterity.
Dulles was the first airport in this country to be designed specifically for commercial jets and was hailed for its innovative mobile lounges when it opened in November 1962.
With 127 destinations, 40 of which are international, Dulles served over 23 million visitors last year and has just undergone a major expansion.
As close as we are to Washington's Reagan National Airport, for nonstop coast to coast and international flights, Dulles is our first choice.
Ummmmmmmm, wonder how that Segway would work around the neighborhood?
Thanks for stopping by,
Here in Northern Virginia we are lucky enough to be in easy driving distance of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the mountains of western Maryland when we are ready to go "leaf peeping".
But sometimes you just want - or need - a bit more. Something that adds an extra edge.
Thanks to a terrific article in the Washington Post, we're happy to offer you 4 Great Ways to be a "Leaf Peeper". Try these on for size and see what you think:
I've got my eye on the gondola in Vermont. What about you? What kind of "leaf peeper" are you?
Michael
Ok, we've told you how much we love barbeque and we've told you about how Pork Barrel BBQ got started. Now it's time to talk about how Heath Hall and Brett Thompson have become media darlings and why Pork Barrel Barbeque is coming to Alexandria.
Shortly after their appearance at the Food and Wine Festival at National Harbor, Heath and Brett were contacted by local restaurant legend "Mango" Mike Anderson, owner of Mango Mike's on Duke St.
Mike and business partner, Bill Blackburn had been on the lookout for a restaurant to locate in Del Ray and when they heard about the phenomenal taste sensation that is Pork Barrel Barbeque, they knew they had a winner. Little did they know that they were getting so much more than good food.
Heath and Brett are a virtual public relations machine. In addition to talking their way into supermarkets and specialty shops, they won a spot on ABC's Shark Tank where they picked up one investor; they appeared last Saturday on Fox and Friends in New York; this past week they were on News Channel 8 and for they next few weekends they will be making appearances at local Harris Teeter stores to promoted their All American Spice Rub and Sauce. And they do it all with good grace, humor, and a deep seated belief that "reward lives in the House of Risk."
Down to earth and smart as whips, Heath and Brett know they are riding a wave of phenomenal serendipity and they are taking nothing for granted. Because no matter how much publicity they get, if the food doesn't deliver, well, game's over.
And that's what we are really here to talk about - the barbeque. Pork Barrel Barbeque will occupy the corner spot in a small new mixed used development at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Oxford - 2312 Mt. Vernon to be exact. The restaurant will seat between 75 and 100 with take out expected to be a big component.
Although the menu is still in development, Alexandrian's can look forward to pulled pork, ribs, brisket, homemade sausages, chicken and traditional "sides" - coleslaw, potato salad, cornbread, etc. The pork shoulder alone will spend 14 hrs. cooking over a fire of hickory and oak wood.
The only down side - Pork Barrel Barbeque will not open until Spring 2010. It's going to be a long cold winter . . . .
But trust me, we'll be there with bells on when Pork Barrel BBQ does open and you'll hear it here first.
Michael
Pork Barrel Barbeque (BBQ) is Coming to Alexandria! Part Two
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An Accredited Buyers Agent and Senior Real Estate Specialist. Graduate, Realtors Institute. Working with first time buyers and military families is a priority. Licensed in Virginia and WDC.
Alexandria - Northern Virginia's Best Small City
A busy community in the heart of Northern Virginia, Alexandria offers the best in small city living:
a thriving downtown
tightly knit neighborhoods
high walkability scores
public transportation
Working with first time home buyers and military families makes me glad to be an agent. Answering questions and walking buyers through the process never gets old!
If you are first time buyer or a buyer new to the Commonwealth of Virginia, it is important to understand the role of real estate agents in your transaction. Virginia allows the buyer a choice of who will represent them in the purchase of a new home. This person is known as a buyer's agent.
Imagine that you are out and see an open house sign. You go in, look around and begin talking with the on site agent. This person is usually a listing agent. It means they have signed a listing agreement with the seller that clearly states that they will act and protect the seller's interest in the transaction.
Because they represent the seller, the agent cannot give you unbiased advice on pricing, inspections, comparable sales, contingencies, etc. In fact, any information that you receive will all be in favor of the seller. There is actually nothing wrong with this, the listing agent is just doing his or her job, but as a buyer, you want someone representing your interests. That's where an Accredited Buyers Representative comes in.
An Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) is a licensed real estate agent who has completed an additional course of study and serves specifically as an agent for buyers in a real estate transaction. Buyers sign an agreement with an agent, just like a seller signs a listing agreement. As a Buyer's Representative I make sure my clients are well served in the negotiating process and fairly represented.
I am also a Senior Real Estate Specialist, working with a team of profesionals to make the buying and selling process for "seniors" as uncomplicated and streamlined as possible. My interest in this area comes from personal experience with my own parents and with my mother-in-law. I can recommend everything from moving companies to move in specialists to assisted living facilities. If you are helping an older family member make a move, give me a call.
“I referred a real estate deal to Michael and he handled it like a Pro!” Steve R.
"We first met Michael when we moved to the Northern Virginia area as renters. A year later when we decided to buy we called Michael to help us find a foreclosure in our price range. He never lost patience or confidence that we would find what we wanted and answered all our questions, multiple times over! We highly recommend Michael and look forward to working with him again in the future." Jimmy and Karen W.
"We met Michael at an open house and he went on to help us buy our very first house. Two children later we called Michael to sell that house and to find us a new one. He did both in short order and with great good humor, patience and professionalism. When a sticky situation arose around move in day, Michael was right there, working with the seller and her agent to resolve the issue and avoid delays. Michael is a pleasure to work with and we can't think of a better agent in the Northern Virginia area." Frank and Gillian H.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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