Susan Haughton ALEXANDRIA VA REAL ESTATE REALTOR, ABR

That's right, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus...and he even comes in August.

This weekend (August 6-8, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) is the August Sales Tax Holiday for School Supplies and Clothing.

That's right! This weekend, you will be able to buy (qualifying) school supplies and clothing (and footwear) and not pay sales tax. Now, that may not seem like much, but these days, I think many of us are counting our pennies and saving wherever we can.

So, if you've been putting off pulling out that long, long list of school supplies and heading to the mall, don't wait any longer...get out there this weekend and save a few dollars here and there. It adds up!

For a complete list of specific items that are eligible for the tax exemption - as well as other details - just check out the Virginia Department of Taxation.

And, don't keep the news to yourself - tell a friend!

Attention Virginia Residents: This Weekend is the August Sales Tax Holiday

Located at 121 N. Fairfax Street (just off King Street, not far from the waterfront, in the heart of Old Town) is one of my favorite historic sites in Old Town Alexandria, CARLYLE HOUSE. Built by Scottish merchant and later, first Overseer of Alexandria, John Carlyle was a prosperous local businessman married to Sarah Fairfax, from one of Virginia's most prominent families.

A couple of years ago, an out of town friend and I were strolling through Old Town when we stumbled across a reenactment of General Braddock's "Grand Assembly" of the five major colonial governors, whom he had summoned to Carlyle House - which he was using as his Alexandria headquarters during the French and Indian War - to discuss his expectations and plans.

Throughout the house and grounds were numerous re-enactors in period dress; watching the re-enactment was for me almost an "out of body" experience; for a while, I truly felt transported back in time as I witnessed one of the significant moments in colonial American history.

In addition to being Alexandria's only stone, 18th century Palladium-style house, Carlyle House is also now an Historic Park offering daily tours, special events and historic re-enactments.

In August 2010, there are two public events scheduled, so if you're in the area and want to be transported for a little while back to colonial days, check these out:

August 7 On this day, Carlyle House will celebrate the anniversary of the Carlyle family's move into their new home, with re-enactors portraying the family, which welcomed a son the night of the move. This will be a free family-friendly program offering children the opportunity to meet Monty the horse, and learn to make floorcloth. You will also learn about Colonial midwifery and medicine. It's a great opportunity for the entire family to witness "Living History." "A Fine Beginning" starts at 12 noon.

August 28: Come watch a re-enactment of the occupation of Alexandria by British naval forces and explore a scale replica of a War of 1812 privateer ship. Starting at noon, there will be free lectures, tours and costumed re-enactors throughout the grounds. Another free, family event.

Go Back in Time at Old Town Alexandria's CARLYLE HOUSE

Montebello - an apt description as the name means beautiful mountain in Italian - is considered by many to be Alexandria's premiere gated community, with an extensive array of award-winning amenities that are second to none.

Perfectly situated on 35 treed acres, just 5 minutes south of Old Town Alexandria, within a stone's throw of the Huntington Metro station - you can walk to Metro by private, gated path or the community shuttle will pick you up in front of your building - and near the Capital Beltway, Highway 1 and GW Parkway, all prominent commuter routes.

When the Montebello shuttle isn't shuttling residents to the Metro, it's dropping them off at area shopping centers three times a week. Traveling a little further than the local grocery store? Well, Montebello is just 5 miles south of Reagan National Airport.

Montebello offers year round resort living with an indoor pool and hot tub, a bowling center, his and her exercise rooms (the ladies enjoy a sauna while the men have a steam room), tennis courts and an outdoor pool.

The Community Center also offers a meeting room with large screen TV, ping pong tables, card playing room, a bowling center and a billiards room. Stop by just about any time and you'll see lively games of cards or bridge going on in this active, social community.

Hungry? Just stop by the full service cafe and bar...the food is terrific (I should know, I eat lunch there often and have enjoyed dinner there on more than one occasion) and when the weather is nice, there's a terrific outside deck. Don't feel like leaving your condo? Just call down to the restaurant...they'll bring your food to you. Seriously, does it get any better than that?

Also in the Community Center is a beauty salon, dry cleaning service, business center and convenience store.

Outside, you will find plenty of treed green space for walking, plus picnic tables and grills.

But it's Montebello's residences, located in four 15-story secure towers, that are the real treat here...ranging in space from 850 sf to 1,695 sf, from 1-3 bedrooms all with decks or balconies (open or enclosed, your choice), there are 11 different floor plans from which to choose.

And, if you need or want more space, many of the units are built to be combined, for truly spectacular residences. The hilltop location also means some pretty spectacular views: many of the residences overlook the Potomac River, the Capitol or many of DC's spectacular monuments.

So, if you are looking for the finest in condominium living in an unsurpassed location near all that Alexandria has to offer, with resort-like amenities and multiple transportation options, you need look no further than Montebello.

MONTEBELLO: Alexandria, VA's Best Kept Secret

Quite often, I will get a call or an email asking for information on homes for sale in Cameron Station - and usually, the inquiry is from someone who lives not only outside the DC Metro area, but out of state. Good news travels far and wide, apparently, about this very popular planned community in Alexandria, VA.

What makes Cameron Station so popular?

I'm not sure if it's the serene surroundings..with Ben Brenman Park bordering the east end of the community, with its lake, soccer field, tennis courts, fenced dog park, bike trails and seasonal Farmers Market...

...or, right in the heart of the neighborhood, Main Street Retailers, such as Food Matters gourmet market and cafe; Bright Start Learning Center and Pre-School; Cameron Cafe upscale coffee shop...there's even a dry cleaner, family dentist and convenience market.

Just outside the neighborhood are grocery stores, a terrific public library, a 24 hour drug store as well as a wide variety of other retailers.

Maybe it's the transportation options, including a neighborhood Metro shuttle plus a super convenient location near the Van Dorn Metro station as well as stops for DASH and Metro Bus. Or, if your commute requires you to drive, you're right down the street from 395 and 495, which will get you wherever you need to go in the metro DC area. Cameron Station is convenient to Old Town Alexandria and Reagan National Airport, too.

...Or perhaps it's Samuel W. Jackson Elementary School, located in the west end of the neighborhood, adjacent to Armistead L. Boothe Park, with lighted athletic fields and playgrounds, picnic tables, tennis and basketball courts.

The neighborhood amenities probably have something to do with the popularity of the neighborhood...the outdoor pool and the state of the art Cameron Club Fitness Facility, which offers a wide selection of exercise equipment, as well as a variety of group classes. Or, if you prefer, private trainers are also available.

Or maybe Cameron Station is popular simply because of its beautiful selection of homes...from upscale condos to stylish townhomes to elegant detached single family homes, designed to emulate the architectural styles of the 18th and 19th centuries, with its pocket parks, colonial street lamps and brick sidewalks, Cameron Station is a cozy community with a small town feel...where historic meets contemporary.

Welcome Home to Cameron Station.

SEARCH CAMERON STATION HOMES FOR SALE HERE

Townes at Cameron Parke is a private enclave of approximately 229 garage townhomes tucked away in the up-and-coming Eisenhower Valley, about 3 miles west of Old Town Alexandria, offering a variety of home styles and sizes, from 2 to 4 bedrooms on 3 or 4 levels Prices range from the $400,000s to the upper $500,000s. 

Townes at Cameron Parke is located adjacent to Lake Cook, a 4 acre stocked fishing lake (check with the Fisheries Division for more information about daily creel limits and licensing requirements). 

For more family fun, Cameron Run Regional Park just down the street is home to Great Waves Water Park, with its water slides, wave pool and speed slides.  Or, if you're more interested in activities that don't get you all wet, there's a miniature golf course, batting cages, picnic shelters - even a special events pavilion.

No - that's not Great Waves in the pic, that's the neighborhood pool.  There's also a popular tot lot.

With the Van Dorn Metro Station (Blue Line) just a couple of miles to the west and the Eisenhower Metro Station (Yellow Line) just a little over a mile to the east, PLUS the Alexandria City DASH bus stop literally in front of the neighborhood, the commute to pretty much anywhere you need to go just doesn't get much more convenient than this.

Commuting to the White House?  At least one of the neighbors rides his bike  (the bike trail is right across the street) the 8.5 miles - and if he decides to take public transportation one way?  Metro has him covered with their bike policy for trains and buses. (Check their website for complete details).

How about the Pentagon?  Even closer.  7.5 miles by car or 20 minutes (give or take a few minutes, depending on time of day) by Metro.  And if you don't have a reserved parking space at the Pentagon, well, don't worry about traversing the expansive parking lot...let Metro drop you at the door.

Less than one mile from Route 1 and about the same to easily-accessible 495, this neighborhood offers multiple transportation options no matter how you choose to get where you need to go,

Traveling?  Townes at Cameron Parke is only 5.5 miles - a short Metro ride - to Reagan National Airport. Even closer is the Amtrak station, which not only offers parking, but is also right next door to the King Street Metro Station.

So, if you're searching for a spacious, modern garage townhome with unbeatable commuting options, close to all Old Town Alexandria has to offer, don't overlook one of Alexandria's best kept secrets, Townes at Cameron Parke.

 Stylish, Spacious 2, 3 and 4 Bedroom Townhomes in Townes at Cameron Parke