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
Alf Laylah is located at 8605 Westwood Center Drive #100 in Vienna, VA 22180. If you are looking for a fun time around the Tysons Corner area, Alf Laylah is the place to be on Friday and Saturday nights. Alf Laylah is a restaurant that on these nights turns into a lounge. It is a great place to listen to live Arabian songs and get familiar with the Middle Eastern culture. The lounge has a dance floor, a full bar and has a variety of hookahs available for customers. The social scene is a fun and youthful. The prices are modest for the lounge and the food is amazing.
A great fact about Alf Laylah is that when you go you feel welcomed since the staff is very friendly and the restaurant is very chic and has a modern feel to it. It is not something that you would expect from a typical Middle Eastern restaurant, and the live music is just spectacular. The fun fact about the weekend nights is that they have live belly dancing performances, which is a very exciting experience for most. It is a great place for a date or for a group of friends to go eat, drink, dance and smoke.
The Chantilly Regional Library
Located just off of Stringfellow road: 4000 Stringfellow Road Chantilly, VA 20151-2627, The Chantilly Regional Library is a short commute for local Chantilly residents. It is nearby Greenbriar Shopping Center containing several restaurants, stores, a gas station, and a Giant grocery store. Bus stations are located across the street and as you are entering the library as well as bike racks making transportation simple and very accessible.
The Chantilly Regional Library is designed to fit the needs and desires of kids, teens, and adults of every age group. Equipped with internet stations containing free wireless internet, researching and web surfing are available at the touch of a button. Quiet atmosphere, group tables, and stocked book shelves containing thousands of genres loaded with information create a great combination for those in need of a study area. Also available are meeting rooms open to the public perfect for discussions of any kind.
The library isn't just limited to studying areas and meeting rooms, there are plenty of activities available too! Author events, musical performances, book sales, and discussion groups are had on a monthly basis. There is even a children's area filled with books that will interest any young mind. It is definitely safe to say this is a full service library.
Lorton Marketplace features retail shops, restaurants, and office space. Retailers include:
Shoppers Food and Pharmacy - best doughnuts in the area. But get there early.
Virginia ABC Store - friendly employees who will always greet you with a smile.
Mattress Discounters
My Eye Doctor
Escape Salon and Day Spa
UPS Store
Lorton Marketplace Barber
Lorton Cleaners
Reflection Dental
C2 Education
Minnieland Daycare
Bank of America
Future plans for an Exxon Mobil gas station and a medical center are underway. The Marketplace also features a variety of restaurant and food service choices, which include:
Lorton Station situated on 300 acres is located in Southern Fairfax County, Virginia. It is a new planned community that offers residents a blend of conveniences from shopping to dining and outdoor excursions. This development consists of 950 homes south of Washington, DC off Interstate 95, with Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter train station within the community. Visit http://www.lortonstation.info/amenities_main.asp for additional information regarding Lorton Station.
Amenities
100 Acre Stream Valley - Joseph Plaskett Park
In the North section of the community lies an existing 100-acre Stream Valley Park. In 1999 the park was dedicated to the founder of Lorton, Joseph Plaskett. This park consists of a wooded walking / biking trail that extends through both ends of the park and the Pohick River which winds its way through the community.
Community Pools
Two outdoor swimming pools, sundecks and bath facilities, located in the North and South sections of the community.
Community Recreation Center
Located at the North pool and is the location where committee and board meetings occur. The clubhouse was designed to resemble a train station and provides a warm, rich setting for small parties and gatherings. The rental fee is $350.
Lorton VRE Station
Lorton Station has its very own Virginia Railway Express (VRE) train stop. This convenience makes Lorton Station a very desireable community. The station is minutes from any of the community's homes and offers direct access to Washington DC and Metrorail. For information regarding the VRE, please visit: http://www.vre.org/
Tot Lots
There are three tot lots within the community.
Other local amenities include the nearby marinas on the Occoquan and Potomac rivers, several local and state parks, recreation facilities, museums, shopping malls, outlet centers, and fine arts and cultural foundations. This neighborhood is located in one of the nation’s top school districts (FCPS).
For other inquiries regarding the community, please contact:
Lorton Station Community Association
9050 Lorton Station Boulevard
Lorton VA 22079
Tel: (703) 339-3824
Fax (703) 339-3825
Pohick Bay Golf Course is located at 10301 Gunston Road, Lorton, Virginia. The golf course is open during daylight hours, all year. The golf course can be contacted at 703-339-8585. They can also be visited at http://www.nvrpa.org/park/pohick_bay_golf_course/content/hours_and_directions
This scenic course is located on the Mason Neck Peninsula in Lorton, Virginia. Local golf magazines repeatedly name Pohick Bay as one of the area’s most challenging courses. Maps of the course and additional information about each hole can be viewed at http://www.nvrpa.org/park/pohick_bay_golf_course/content/golf_course .
Pohick Bay's Professional Golf Instructor Ferndando Martinez can help you whether you are a beginner or a skilled golfer. Let him help you take your game to the next level. Fernando has worked with men, women and children of all ages. Visit his page for more information http://www.nvrpa.org/park/pohick_bay_golf_course/content/professional_instruction
Men’s, women’s and junior leagues are available as well as tournament packages. Tournament rates are applicable Monday through Friday for groups of 24 or more golfers and a maximum of 120 golfers for a tournament.
Tournament packages are as follows:
Basic Package $53 per person
Includes:
18-hole greens fee
18-hole cart fee
Range balls
Course gift (logo ball, tee package, course coupon)
Outdoor tent with table and chair setup
Standard Package: $58 per person
Includes:
All items in basic package
Longest drive and closest pin markers
Personalized cart signs and scorecards
Deluxe Package: $63 per person
Includes:
All items in standard package
Post tournament scoring
Morning coffee setup
Basic Junior/Senior Package: $45 per person
Includes:
18-hole greens fee
18-hole cart fee
Range balls
Course gift (logo ball, tee package, course coupon)
Available only to recognized junior or senior golf groups
Standard Junior/Senior Package: $50 per person
Includes:
All items in basic junior/senior package
Longest drive and closest pin markers
Personalized cart signs and scorecards
Outdoor tent with table and chair setup
Available only to recognized junior or senior golf groups
Additional Services include the Pro Shop and a beverage cart service,
The pro shop features a snack bar that offers sandwiches, grill items, breakfast muffins, hot and cold beverages, candy and chips as well as inside seating.
The beverage cart is offered at no charge and carry beer, Gatorades, sodas, water and snacks.
Golf memberships are also available at affordable rates and offer flexible options for all kinds of golfers plus three courses for the price of one! Member benefits can include advanced tee time reservations, unlimited range balls, discounts on pro shop merchandise and even discounted or free greens fees for your guests. All memberships are for twelve months from the date of purchase.
The Mason Neck Conservation Committee was formed in 1965 after two bald eagle nests were spotted. The committee, concerned about impending development on the peninsula, recommended part of the area to be used as a site for a state park. In August 1967 the commonwealth began purchasing land parcels from The Nature Conservancy.
Mason Neck
Mason Neck State Park is on a peninsula formed by Pohick Bay on the north, Belmont Bay on the south and the Potomac River on the east. The park attracts migrating and non-migrating species of birds, including tundra swans, herons, assorted species of duck and bald eagles. The park consists of several hundred acres of hardwood forests. Several wetland areas are also found at Mason Neck State Park.
The park is in southern Fairfax County, about 20 miles from Washington, D.C. Access to the park is via U.S. 1. From northern Virginia the drive time is approximately 30 minutes from Washington, D.C., 45 minutes; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, three hours; Richmond, one and a half hours; Roanoke, four hours.
Mason Neck is a day use park and has no overnight facilities.
Mason Neck offers hiking, biking and self-guided trails. Four miles of unpaved hiking trails and three miles of paved multi-use trails wind through the park providing a glimpse of nature by the bay. Elevated walkways allow visitors to explore some of the marsh areas in the park. Ten bicycles are available for rent by the hour.
Fresh and brackish water fishing are available, however, you must have a valid Virginia or Maryland fishing license. There are no facilities for boat launching via trailer. From April through October, kayaks and canoes are available for rent, an hour or all day, to explore Belmont Bay or Kane's Creek - a great way to see eagles.
Other attractions the park offers include: hunting, festivals, workshops, a visitor center.
The park's environmental education center has a gift shop with park-oriented merchandise and souvenirs. Educational programs include pond study, bird-watching, canoe trips, active volunteer program, night hikes, teacher workshops, hands-on experiential educational opportunities, and evening programs.
Programs include:
Your Backyard Classrooms program is a 40-activity curriculum guide for K-12 teachers
Junior Rangers: Junior Rangers is a day-long program for children 7 to 10. It offers hands-on environmental education that covers stewardship and strong conservation, recreation and protection ethics. Several sessions with varying themes are held each summer. Contact the park for dates and fees.
Wee Rangers: Wee Rangers is a two-hour program for children 4 to 6 with accompanying adults. It’s a fun, hands-on introduction to the natural world. Several sessions with varying themes are offered each summer. Contact the park for dates and fees.
Accessibility include: Picnic area with handicapped accessible restroom facility; fully accessible playground; six handicap parking spaces; a fully accessible paved hiking trail.
For more information about Mason Neck State Park,contact (703) 339-2385 or (703) 339-2380 (visitor center); email [email protected]
Buffalo Wild Wings, a national sports bar chain, opened its newest restaurant in Crystal City in January. This new location is the fourth in the greater Washington DC area.
Buffalo Wild Wings offers a casual dining / sports bar atmosphere. Large high-definition televisions line the walls, broadcasting the day’s best sports matchups. During major or local sporting events, the restaurant attracts large and lively crowds. Unlike typical sports bars, the
Food is moderately priced, with Buffalo Wings featured as the signature menu item. A wide selection of wing sauces is offered, and many different beers are available. Recommended for folks looking for a casual dining experience or a fun place to watch a game.
The Manassas Farmer’s Market is held every Thursday from the 3rd of April to the 20th of November and every Saturday from the 5th of April to the 22nd of November at the Harris Pavilion located on 9201 Center Street in Manassas, VA 20110.
A wide variety of home grown products can be found at Manassas Farmer’s Market sponsored by Historic Manassas, Inc. All products sold are locally grown alongside organic meat and seafood.
Schedule as follows:
April 3 to November 20 (7am to 1pm) at Harris Pavilion
April 5 to November 22 (7am to 2:30pm) at the Visitor’s Parking Lot on West Street.
The Manassas Farmer’s Market is only open in November if weather permits.
Boasting its Victorian architectural beauty, the Lee- Fendall House interprets the life and living of the Lee family from 1850 to 1870 with the well restored house and cared for garden. The Lee-Fendall House is situated in the Historic District of Old Town Alexandria on Lee Corner, at the junction of North Washington and Oronoco Streets within the neighborhood where other Lee Homes were located in the 18th and 19th centuries.
General Robert E. Lee’s father, Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee who was a revolutionary war hero, sold the piece of land situated at the corner of Oronoco Street to his cousin Philip Richard Fendall who later on built his family home on this land in 1785. The Lee family resided on this land from 1785 to 1903 even when the Union Army had taken over the property to establish a hospital for its soldiers in 1863. After the departure of the last Lee member from the property, Robert Downham resided in the house till 1937 when he conveyed the property to John L. Lewin, who in turn lived there till his death in 1969.
The half acre garden of the Lee-Fendall House is a well managed garden overseen by the Alexandria Council of Garden Clubs consisting of 24 garden clubs ever since 1974. A variety of heritage roses, collection of herbs, English boxwoods, Black Walnut Trees, Gingko, Magnolia Grandiflora and scampering squirrels along with the tombstone of Philip R. Fendall’s mother, Eleanor Fendall can be found in this cared for garden.
The Lee- Fendall House Museum and Garden is located at 614 Oronoco Street in Alexandria VA 22314. For more information about tours, events, rentals and the like, please call 703 548 1789 or visit www.leefendallhouse.org.
Buffalo Wild Wings offers a casual dining / sports bar atmosphere. Large high-definition televisions line the walls, broadcasting the day’s best sports matchups. During major or local sporting events, the restaurant attracts large and lively crowds. Unlike typical sports bars, the
Food is moderately priced, with Buffalo Wings featured as the signature menu item. A wide selection of wing sauces is offered, and many different beers are available. Recommended for folks looking for a casual dining experience or a fun place to watch a game.
