Category: Fun Stuff

Explore homes in Alexandria

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October 12, 2013January 5, 2016Will Nesbitt

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Alexandria’s Fire Boat

charthouse — The Charthouse is at waterfront in Old Town Alexandria.

The story of Alexandria, especially Old Town, is rich in seafaring traditions. Alexandria is not really a great seaport anymore but yet and still many seagoing vessels---including pleasure boats, cruise liners, transport ships, tour ships and ships of war---ply the waters of the Potomac River and some of these vessels dock at the Alexandria Waterfront. Additionally, when the weather warms it is not uncommon to find thousands of residents and visitors can be found along the waterfront.

Alexandria waterfront — The dock at Old Town Alexandria VA

Because Alexandria has citizens and mariners in harms way, the the City of Alexandria Fire Department has developed the Marine Operations Team. to assist in the protection of citizens and mariners who use the various waterways in and adjacent to the city either for business or recreation. The City of Alexandria Marine Operations Team consists of 24 members and a Team Leader (Battalion Chief) trained and training as Marine Firefighters, Swift Water Rescue Technicians, Lifeguards, Boat Operators and Crewmembers. Shown below is the Fireboat 201 Vigilant---a Class 'C' fireboat equipped with a 1500 gpm PTO pump and a full compliment of equipment as required by NFPA 1925. The Vigilant is a swift vessel capable of speeds greater than 40 knots. When needed, paramedics are deployed aboard Vigilant to give the vessel an Advanced Life Support capability.

The city also deploys two Zodiac all-weather inflatables are used by the Marine Operations Team to gain rapid access to persons in distress in the marine environment. They can also be utilized to assist members of the Hazardous Materials in deploying booms. Alexandria and other regional swift water rescue teams operate regardless of the environment or jurisdictional boundary.

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For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.

Pentagon Row- Comfort & Convenience By The Metro

September 19, 2013September 20, 2013Stuart Nesbitt

Located at Joyce Street and Army-Navy Drive, the Shops at Pentagon Row feature main stream fashion retailers and commercial restaurants as well as the Arlington Visitors Center. Shoppers can enjoy the charm of Main Street while shopping in an urban village setting. The Shops at Pentagon Row are located near Metro's Blue and Yellow Lines; near the Pentagon City Station. Pentagon Row boost the following retailers:

A Visual Affair
Bed Bath & Beyond
Best Foot Forward
DSW Shoe Warehouse
Harris Teeter
Hudson Trail Outfitters
Jouvence AVEDA
LA Fitness
LOFT
Mattress Warehouse
Metropolitan Nail Bar
Pacers Running Stores
Pentagon Row Cleaners
Pentagon Row Ice Rink
Rite Aid
Solar Planet
Sprint
Sur La Table
The Vitamin Shoppe
World Market

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September 11, 2013January 5, 2016Stuart Nesbitt

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For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

King Street Trolley — a great way to get to know Old Town Alexandria

King Street Trolley

Around Old Town Alexandria, parking can sometimes be a hassle, (unless you want to pay to park in a garage), but a great way to explore Alexandria is to take the Metro to King St. and then hop a ride on the King St. Trolley. There is no charge to ride the trolley, and it makes stops about every two blocks between the King St. Metro and the Potomac. The Trolley was designed to complement service by the National Harbor's new Water Taxi. The National Harbor is located across the Potomac in Maryland and is the site of a brand new convention center. The convention center and many restaurants are already open in this brand new area landmark. Additionally boat service is available up and down river from the Strand in Old Town. The length of this circuit can be walked in about 20 minutes, so many choose to take the trolley to the Potomac and then walk back to the Metro through Old Town.

The Trolley makes it final stop before returning to the Metro near the Torpedo Factory. Just as the name implies, the Torpedo Factory was torpedo factory in the early part of the last century. Today the Torpedo Factory Art Center is a world-renowned art center with three floors of open studios and galleries. Here, one can observe artists and purchase original artwork. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is on the Potomac waterfront. Street musicians and entertainers play nearly every night weather permitting, and tourists and locals alike enjoy walks down by the waterfront.

Train arriving at King Street Metro — A train arrival at busy, convenient King Street Metro

The trolley runs its route from 10 am to 10 pm every day. A printable map is available for those who know nothing about the area.

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August 24, 2013August 24, 2013Stuart Nesbitt

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For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

Green Spring Gardens

Green Spring Gardens and Horticultural Center in Annandale is an inspiration for gardeners and a destination for tourists and visitors. Whether you are local or just visiting Northern Virginia, Green Springs Garden is quiet get-away to be seen. Green Springs features a valley centered over a wooded stream. The naturalist plant gardens showcase native species while the green houses are filled with tropical plants. Green Spring Gardens feature a wide variety of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, annuals, bulbs, and vegetable. Check out the horticultural reference library or visit the gift shops to stock your own library. The Garden Gate Plant Shop has plants, gardening gloves, collectible china, wind chimes and other gift ideas. Green Spring's grounds are open dawn to dusk every day of the year. The Horticulture Center is open Monday through Saturday, 9 am to 4:30 pm, and Sunday, noon to 4:30 pm. The Horticulture Center is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's holidays. Park grounds are open from dawn to dusk..

For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

Iwo Jima Memorial

August 23, 2013August 23, 2013Stuart Nesbitt

The Marine Corps War Memorial honors fallen U.S. Marine Corps members depicting one of the most famous incidents of World War II. The incident was witnessed by news photographer Joe Rosenthal whose picture of six men raising the American flag on Mt. Suribachi won the Pulitzer Prize and later became the symbol of the war effort in the Pacific. The depiction was also used by the American government to sell war bonds and to promote the war effort. Finally, the picture inspired sculptor Felix DeWeldon, who created a life size model of the photograph, which was later cast into bronze and brought to Washington, D.C, in September 1954. The names and dates of every principal Marine Corps engagement since the founding of the Corps is burnished into the base of the statue, as well as the inscription: "In honor and in memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since November 10, 1775." The Memorial is located on Marshall Drive, between Rt. 50 and the Arlington National Cemetery in Rosslyn. The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial is administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Telephone 703-289-2500 for further information about scheduled events.

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For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

What parks are near Old Town and Belle View?

August 21, 2013June 4, 2015Stuart Nesbitt

: A bench right across from the biking / running / walking trail

One of the single greatest attractions on the west side of the Potomac River is the George Washington Parkway. This parkway stretches along from Mount Vernon Estates through Belle View and Old Town up north of Arlington. Along the shore are scattered a bevy of parks from Theodore Roosevelt Island, the LBJ National Grove, Gravelly Point Park, Fort Marcy, and Turkey Run Park. The GW Parkway even boasts a view of a rare Bald Eagle and its nest on the Belle Haven Country Club just south of Old town. Learn more about great boons to property in Northern Virginia.

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July 18, 2013July 18, 2013Stuart Nesbitt

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For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

Nottoway Park in Vienna VA- Weekend Fun in Fairfax County

The Parks and Recreation system in Fairfax County, Virginia, is the primary public instrument for the preservation of natural land and environmentally sensitive resources in Fairfax County. Nottoway Park is one of the assets of the Fairfax County Park System. Nottoway Park is located at 9601 Courthouse Road in Vienna, Virginia. Local residents can enjoy tennis, basketball and volleyball recreational facilities, as well as garden, picnic, and fitness trails. For those who enjoy a quieter atmosphere, a stroll through the densely wooded nature paths provide for a solitary and peaceful surrounding. The tennis courts and picnic shelters can be reserved for a small fee by calling 703-938-7532. During the summer season, Nottoway Park hosts a summer concert series entitled Nottoway Nights where locals can enjoy free, weekly public concerts featuring a variety of musical ensembles from international and nationally acclaimed artists. Of the 416 parks in Fairfax County, Nottoway Park provides special opportunities to sustain healthy and wholesome living by developing positive life-style and recreational interests.

Nottoway Park

Nottoway Park in Providence District

Nottoway Park

Julie Nesbitt

Julie Nesbitt knows the back trails and by-ways of Northern Virginia real estate.
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Enjoying Winkler Botanical Preserve

We had a great time walking the trails.
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Don’t take chances with real estate.

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REDUCED: 7202 Churchill Rd, McLean

Open House, Sunday, 1-4 BIG PRICE DROP! 7202 CHURCHILL ROADMcLean, VA 221016 Bedrooms5.5 Bathrooms6,752 SF $1,695,000
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Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services

Established in 1974 with a mission to reduce homelessness, increase community support and promote self sufficiency, the Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is operated by a multi-denominational board of directors and staff managing over 70 housing units. Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is located in the Mount Zephyr Business Center at 8305 Richmond…
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For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

Ballston Commons Mall- Fun in Arlington

July 8, 2013January 5, 2016Condos-and-Homes

Bring the kids to take part in the annual Halloween trick or treating all throughout the mall. If you have a lazy teen who will be going off to college soon, why not send him over to Ballston Common Mall's yearly college fair? Or you can simply shop in over 200 of their stores. Ballston Common Mall has something for every single person in the family. If you're looking to kick back and enjoy a good laugh, then the Comedy Spot is just the hangout spot for you. If you’re treating yourself to hair and nail treatments, you can choose from four beauty salons. Or if you want to keep the kids busy with something fun and energetic, you can always send them over to the nearby Kettler Capitals IcePlex for ice skating or to play hockey. Something that the whole family can enjoy is the Ballston Common Mall big movie theater! As you can see, this mall offers a diverse mix of services and goods. From their CVS Pharmacy to their Cyber Star Services they cater to every person's wants. The mall's main features are their Macy's, Macy Furniture Gallery, Gourmet Restaurants and the Sport & Health Club. Ballston Common Mall stretches out over 1.3 million square foot piece of land, it has four levels and is located at the corner of Glebe Road and Wilson Boulevard only four miles from Washington D.C in Arlington Virginia. Ballston's mall is quickly becoming the new "downtown" of Arlington.

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For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

Crossing the Potomac on foot or by bicycle

June 17, 2013January 5, 2016Will Nesbitt

Woodrow Wilson at Old Town — Woodrow Wilson Bridge at Old Town Alexandria

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge is close to Porto Vecchio and Belle View Condominiums. On June 6th, 2009 the long-awaited bicycle crossing of the Potomac at Woodrow Wilson Bridge was completed. The bridge now connects the Mt. Vernon Trail to the National Harbor in Maryland allowing pedestrians and bikers to traverse the river near I-495 just outside Old Town Alexandria VA near the George Washington Parkway. The completion of the mile long bike-pedestrian trial is one of the final milestones in the massive Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project which was started a number of years ago. The "Active Transportation Lane" crossing is open to walkers, joggers, bikers, roller-bladers, scooters and virtually any form of unmechanized traffic. The Alexandria Times reported that "Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson and other federal, state and local officials were among the first to utilize the new river crossing after a ceremony on the Maryland side of the river." The reviews from bikers have been very positive. TheWashCycle.com says, "It's a flawed masterpiece and a fantastic resource. The ride is great, with the overpass as a small park over the Beltway. The views are stunning (and the telescopes free)..."

The Woodrow Wilson Crossing is easily accessed by communities like Belle View, River Towers, Porto Vecchio, the Bearings South and parts of Old Town Alexandria which are near the bridge.

GW Parkway — Bike path on the George Washington Parkway at the Belle Haven Marina

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