Articles of interest to the site’s sponsor and articles by friends of Condo Alexandria. Doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with real estate or Northern Virginia
The Springfield Art Guild's (SAG) 46th anniversary was well attended, and very culturally enriching. The event was hosted from 6pm-9pm at the Richard Byrd Public Library. The event kicked off with socializing over refreshments and viewing of SAG members artwork. Next, there was a speech given by some of the founding members (i.e. Judy Wengrovitz and her husband). This speech highlighted different eras of SAG and Northern Virginia in general. Can you imagine a time when Fairfax County homes cost 15k, yearly salaries were 9k, dirt roads were not uncommon, and the Pentagon (built in 1949) was a recent edition to the region?
Following some SAG updates (e.g. new website transition, Springfield Town Center proposition, etc.), the event concluded with a speech from a Torpedo Factory / Art League representative. Her speech covered a variety of art related topics (e.g. pricing works, gallery submissions process, tips on framing, etc.). Overall, the SAG 46th anniversary was a milestone which marked past accomplishments (e.g. 5k donation from local area builders) and current developments to usher in the next chapter for this art based community.
Judy Wengrovitz and her husband give a speech for the 46th anniversay of the SAG
Late winter in Virginia many of us have spent our weekends cooped-up inside the house. In addition, the bleak and stormy weather can affect our moods and overall dispositions, creating what is commonly thought of as the wintertime blues. Luckily, for those of us who subscribe to the notion of retail therapy, living in Arlington provides locals with a whole host of high-end retail remedies. With a wide array of exclusive indoor shopping malls and hundreds of specialty stores located throughout Arlington's many distinct neighborhoods, even the worst case of the winter doldrums can be cured by a little retail therapy. So the next time you have a dollar to spend and an afternoon to spare: stop, drop, and shop at one of Arlington's acclaimed retail shopping areas, the most popular of which are highlighted below.
Ballston Commons Mall: Located at North Glebe and Wilson Blvd., Ballston Commons stretches out over a 1.3 million square foot parcel of land and features major retailers such as Macy's, Macy's Furniture Gallery, and over 100 other specialty stores. Ballston Commons also features a Regal Cinema movie theater, a Washington Sport & Health Club, and two full-sized ice skating rinks. The mall is located on Metro's Orange Line; one block from the Ballston Station.
The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City: Located at 1100 South Hayes Street, Pentagon City Mall is considered a world-class fashion experience and offers a four-level, glass enclosed, atrium-style shopping center featuring more than 170 retail stores. Pentagon City also houses 7 full-service restaurants, a food court and a movie theater. The Pentagon City Mall is located on Metro's Blue and Yellow Lines; connected to the Pentagon City Station.
The Market Common at Clarendon: Located at 2800 Clarendon Blvd., the Market Common at Clarendon features an exceptional selection of stores including Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Barnes & Noble, and a variety of restaurants, all of which are located in an attractive and architecturally stimulating street-front setting intended for both walking and window shopping. The Market Common is located near Metro's Orange Line; three blocks from the Clarendon Station.
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Clarendon.
Crystal City Shops: Located at 1608 Crystal Square Arcade, the Crystal City Shops provide visitors with more than 200 retail stores, shops, restaurants and sidewalk cafes along Crystal Drive. The Crystal City Shops feature a promenade with direct access to hotels and the Metro. Restaurant options include Bebo Trattoria, Charlie Chaing's, Cold Stone Creamery, Jaleo, King Street Blues, Legal Sea Foods, and McCormick & Schmick's. The Crystal City Shops are located on Metro's Blue and Yellow Lines; connected to the Crystal City Station.
Pentagon Row: 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.
The Village at Shirlington: Located at 2700 South Quincy Street, Shirlington is one of Arlington's favorite local neighborhoods for dining and theatrical productions. Shirlington is home to the Signature Theatre and features a European-style promenade with shops, restaurants, nightlife and an art-house cinema. The Village at Shirlington is not located within walking distance of a Metro station.
Each May to November, twelve sites throughout Fairfax County spring to life with the activity of an open-air market. These bustling marketplaces draw thousands of Fairfax County residents with a feast for the senses. The vibrant colors of freshly picked fruits and vegetables contrast with the fragrant perfume of cut flowers. Across the market floats the aroma of freshly baked breads and pastries while one savors a sample of creamy artisan cheese. The markets provide a way to connect with the producers of our food-a way of life once commonplace for many of our parents and grandparents.
The Markets offer a wide variety of freshly picked fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers. There are also fresh eggs, baked goods, honey and cider to purchase. Milk and cheese products, along with a wide array of meat products, round out the edible delights. If gardening is an interest, many vendors have small plants at the beginning of the season, while other vendors have larger landscape plants for those ambitious projects.
All Fairfax County markets (except the Frying Pan market) host Fairfax County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Plant Clinics. Citizens can bring plant or insect samples for pest identification or disease diagnosis. Master Gardeners also help citizens by having informational displays on topics such as Container Gardening or EcoSavvy Gardening.
Summer squashAll products sold at the Farmers Market are produced by the vendors within 125 miles of Fairfax County. Buy local and support sustainable agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. You will find the freshest and most desirable fruit, vegetables, plants, baked goods, eggs, dairy and meats available.
For information about the Markets, call 703-642-0128, TTY 703-803-3354.
‘Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.’Air Force Memorial
Situated on prominent land, the Air Force Memorial overlooks Washington DC, Arlington VA and the Potomac River. The Memorial depicts a picture of flight of jet / space vehicles and memories of their pioneers.
The 3 core values of the US Air Force are represented by the 3 spires of different heights and asymmetrical: ‘Integrity first, Service before self and Excellence in all we do’.
The Air Force Memorial can be seen all over town but Arlington Ridge provides a dynamic view.
Transportation: Walk, Bike, Metro, Bus, Train, Plane, Drive
According to walkscore.com, Old Town has a walk score of 86 and is the second most walkable neighborhood in Alexandria. Additionally, there are several walking and bike trails that promote a healthy life style in the Old Town neighborhood. Lots of homes in Old Town have reserved
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate near King Street Metro.
parking spaces for residents, which can be very convenient.
For those considering a green or minimalistic lifestyle, public transit is an excellent option. On the Blue and Yellow line, there is the King Street Metro Station which provides access to other stations in the Northern Virginia DC and Maryland areas. Just two stations up there is Ronald Reagan National Airport, for those looking to fly elsewhere. Just behind the King St Metro Station, in front of the George Washington Masonic Memorial, there is an Amtrak Station.
History, Art and Culture
Old Town Alexandria is filled with history, art, and culture. History buffs will enjoy the plethora of museums in Old Town, like Gadsby’s Tavern, Carlyle House, Ramsay House (the ghost tours here are a ton of fun), etc. For those looking for art, there is a variety of options, like Paint This! (Great for dropping in and painting ceramics), Torpedo Factory (lots of local talent and also there are classes here through the nonprofit, the Art League), the Principle Gallery (tasteful artisan creations for sale), etc.
Restaurants and Nightlife
With over a hundred restaurants in Old Town, there are plenty of options to choose from. Countless cuisines, tons of
O'Connell's is a popular restaurant in Old Town Alexandria
atmosphere’s and a lot are within walking distance of each other. Old Town’s nightlife has a lot of variety, from live music at O’Connell’s, to mellow crowds and craft beer at Overwood, to lively karaoke at the basement of the Flying Fish, to Irish folk songs at Murphy’s or Irish Walk, to shuffle board games at Light Horse, there is something for everyone here.
Diverse Home Options
Looking for a high rise condominium? You might like Alexandria House, or Port Royal. Looking for a townhouse community? You might like Cameron Mews. Looking for a garden style condo, closer to Arlington? You might like Canal Place condominiums. There are a wide variety of homes in the various neighborhoods in Old Town Alexandria.
Waterfront
For boaters, there is prime real estate at the Alexandria City Marina. Boating can be a very fun past time, especially if you’re thinking about making a trip out
Old Town Alexandria has water taxi's to Washington DC
to Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant. The waterfront is also a great spot to fish, or just to admire the view. A popular hangout in Old Town is on the waterfront behind the Torpedo Factory.
Parks and Courts
Old Town has a ton of well-maintained parks and courts. Whether you’re looking for a nice dog park to socialize at, somewhere to picnic at in the summer, a kickball field or ultimate Frisbee field, a pickup tennis game, a pick up volleyball game, a pickup basketball game, there are plenty of choices in Old Town.
Old Town is popular because of it's cultural attractions, shops and numerous restaurants.
Ideal Location
Being located in the in the heart of the City of Alexandria is amazing due to the aforementioned reasons. Also, Old Town is close to Arlington and Fairfax County. Old Town has lots of great aspects to it and is a great place to live in Northern Virginia. Additionally, Old Town Alexandria has a very nice school system, with the high school for the area being the famous T.C. Williams High School.
Here’s a historic look down King St. toward the Potomac. You’ll find no free trolley on the streets this day.
City Hall is shut down for snow. Market Square is roped off until the snow can be cleaned up.
Many of the restaurants and shops are ready for Christmas and upcoming holidays.
Old Town’s finer homes are tastefully dressed for the Winter.
If you need a realtor who knows Alexandria, contact us at 703 765 0300.
December snows in Old Town Alexandria shut the city down? No, Old Town is a walker’s paradise, and once the sidewalks were shoveled the town came to life.
Here's a memory from a post that was written several years ago:
Would you like to get to know Old Town Alexandria VA? I'll tell you one of the best ways to see a few sites and learn more about our fair city: take a carriage ride.
Mule turning onto King Street in Old Town
Our carriage was pulled by a hard-working mule. Her owner tells us she loves to pull. As she clopped slowly down the side streets of Old Town, her owner filled in details about houses and locations that we passed. For me, most of the information was old hat, but I couldn't help but think this would be a great way for a tourist or new resident to get to know the city.
The fee for the ride was downright reasonable, and I was impressed with the mule's strength as she pulled up and down hill along Old Town's waterfront.
After she dropped us off we snapped this picture from Market Square. There in front of Burke and Herbert she seemed more in place with the surroundings than the cars who shared her road.
Laurel Hill Golf Club joins the notables in the world of golf with a prestigious ranking at number 15 on Golf week’s 2009 roster of the nation's 50 best municipal courses, announced annually in the magazine's May edition.Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in 22079.
This 18 hole course in Lorton, Northern Virginia was created by Bill Love on acres of land that formerly had D.C Department of Corrections Facility standing in Lorton. Laurel Hill Golf Club is stunning and one of a kind golfing experience with nature’s beauty dominates the character of the course.
A 9,400 square foot of land is occupied by the clubhouse which is the centerpiece of the golf club. Specific design and architecture boasts of the rich heritage of the former DC Department of Corrections Facility.
Amenities:
Bistro Area – Featured American Pub style menu
Banquet Room – For groups of 144 people
A Dining/Small Conference Room – Business meetings
Full Service Kitchen
Pro Shop – complete with golf merchandise
Changing areas – beside restrooms for quick changing
Laurel Golf Club is located at 8701 Laurel Crest Drive Lorton VA 22079. Please contact 703 – 493 - 8849 for more information
Langston-Brown Community Center is located at 2121 Culpeper Street in Arlington VA 22207 that features a variety of activities for both the young and senior members of the community through their facilities. For more details please contact 703 228 5210.
Facilities at Langston-Brown Community Center:
Multi-purpose Room
Game Room
Art Studio
Dance Studio
Gymnasium
Fitness Center
Rec-Tec Room
Computer Room
Teen Lounge
Archives Room
1 Indoor Basketball Court
1 Outdoor Basketball Court
Tennis Court
Playground
Some Activities Offered at Langston -Brown Community Center:
Elementary After School:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, Friday: 3pm to 6pm
Wednesday: 1pm to 6pm
Middle School Teens:
Tuesday to Thursday: 4pm to 7pm
Senior Adults:
Monday to Friday: 9am to 3pm
The Langston-Brown Community Center highlights their Fitness Center that is equipped with:
Cardio Machines
Elliptical Machines
Rowing Machines
Treadmills
Recumbent Bikes
Strength Systems
Precor Equipment
Their fitness center offers personal training especially for those of 55 years of age and above. For more details about their senior adult fitness trainings please contact 703 228 4744.
Langston-Brown Community Center hours:
Monday to Friday: 9am to 10pm
Saturday (April – November): 7am to 1pm
Saturday (December – March): 9am to 4pm
