Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Listing of the Day: 1300 Crystal Drive #701S

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Address: 1300 Crystal Drive #701S
Neighborhood: National Landing | Crystal Gateway
Listed: $669,900
Open: Sunday, August 23 from 2-4 p.m.
Open Virtual Tour

Welcome to unit 701S at Crystal Gateway, a beautifully updated 2 bedroom, 2 bath with 1,516 square feet of living space.

The oversized eat in kitchen has been tastefully updated with solid maple cabinets with black hardware, Silestone counters and stainless steel appliances. The dishwasher and stove were just replaced in 2020.

The large living room has wide plank, oak hardwood floors, a wet bar and flows into the dining room with dual sliding glass doors that open to a west facing balcony overlooking the community pool. Tile floors lead down a hallway from the living room to 2 large bedrooms and bathrooms. The owner’s suite has hardwood floors, a walk-in closet and an amazing marble bathroom with a dual sink vanity a large soaking tub and a separate shower. 1 parking space, G3-48 and extra storage bin 5 in room 2 convey.

Crystal Gateway is an amazing community with 2 pools, one inside and one outside, a gym, a community room and library and a concierge in the lobby. Take the elevator to the mezzanine level to the Crystal City shops and underground walkway that leads to the metro.

Live in the convenience of National Landing with the Metro, Pentagon City Mall, Amazon’s HQ2, the airport the Pentagon and the restaurants and shops of Crystal City just outside your door.

Listed by:
Shawn Battle
The Battle Group | Orange Line Condo
Century 21 Redwood Realty
703-999-8108
[email protected]
OrangeLineCondo.com

Statutes of Liberty: No One Gets In — Coronavirus Authority Used to Exclude Asylum Seekers at the U.S. Border

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This sponsored column is by James Montana, Esq. and Doran Shemin, Esq., practicing attorneys at Steelyard LLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Arlington, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact James for an appointment.

For the Trump Administration, asylum claims at the border are a problem. Title 42 is the new solution.

What’s the problem? When an asylum seeker arrives at the border and claims that she is fleeing persecution, she has the right, under U.S. law, to have her claims heard before a fair and impartial adjudicator. Unfortunately, the United States lacks the ability to house asylum seekers in decent conditions for the amount of time that this adjudication requires.

Therefore, asylum seekers are routinely released into the interior of the United States to have their claims heard at other Immigration Courts — including our own local Immigration Court in Crystal City.

What’s the solution? Title 42, United States Code. Title 42 empowers the President to take actions to protect public health, and, under color of Title 42, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is expelling immigrants on the basis of the COVID-19 pandemic. Attorneys like ourselves are calling these proceedings Title 42 proceedings to distinguish them from ordinary immigration proceedings under Title 8.

Beginning on March 21, 2020, the Trump Administration invoked its powers under Title 42 to expel immigrants who arrive at U.S. land borders, arguing that allowing immigrants to enter through the U.S. border increases the risk of introducing more COVID-19 cases into the United States.

According to CBP, “persons subject to the order… will be immediately expelled to their country of last transit. In the event a person cannot be returned to the country of last transit, CBP works with interagency partners to secure expulsion to the person’s country of origin and hold the person for the shortest time possible.” Some sources say that the expulsion procedure takes an average of 96 minutes.

CBP claims that there will be exceptions for humanitarian reasons. However, based on our recent experience with this relatively unknown procedure, we learned firsthand that CBP may not be properly taking humanitarian factors into consideration when determining whether to expel a person at the border.

Just a couple of weeks ago, our office learned that CBP had detained two unaccompanied minors in Texas. These children did everything they were supposed to do — they did not sign any documents allowing for their return to their country, they expressed that they were afraid to return to their country, and asked to speak with an asylum officer.

However, the immigration authorities did not listen and said that unless they got a lawyer, they would be put on a plane and sent back to their country. They were also not allowed to tell their family members where they were.

Our office stepped in to try to save these children from being expelled. Sadly, it took our office’s intervention and insistence that these children feared persecution and torture in their home country to convince CBP to take these children out of Title 42 proceedings and place them into regular immigration proceedings.

Unfortunately, this seems par for the course. Some of our readers may have read about ICE detaining children at a hotel in McAllen, Texas. It took a lawsuit to get these children out of the hotel and into regular immigration proceedings.

Many advocates believe that these Title 42 proceedings are illegal and violate our obligations under international human rights treaties, which Congress and Presidents past also enacted into U.S. law. On August 14, 2020, various nonprofit organizations sued the Trump Administration over these Title 42 proceedings, arguing that these proceedings violate various laws and deny asylum seekers a meaningful opportunity to apply for asylum in the United States.

The legality of these proceedings is in dispute. Our experience suggests that the Trump Administration knows that it is taking an aggressive approach which will be hard to defend in court. It is a bedrock principle of American law that the identity of the speaker does not matter. A pro se litigant’s request for asylum should not be ignored simply because she does not have a lawyer.

Our clients were ignored until we intervened. CBP’s response to unrepresented immigrants violates the right to due process enjoyed by all litigants in our legal system, whether represented or pro se.

This is a topic we will follow closely and we will report back with updates. We welcome your thoughts and comments and will do our best to respond.

Small Biz Focus: 5 Things to Check Under Your Hood

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

By Tara Palacios

It appears as if COVID-19 is going to be with us for the better part of the year, and possibly into 2021.

Since the Stay-at-home orders were issued in March, the Palacios Family — like many families across the U.S. — have been looking closely at the way we manage our household and developed new efficiencies like never before. We’ve repurposed our work spaces in anticipation of a virtual fall and identified simple tools to help us with this transition.

Just as we have been making our workspaces more productive — now is the time to look under the hood of your business to ensure the engine is running smoothly and continues to run smoothly as we move through the current health pandemic.

A definite area of importance is to make sure your business has access to personal protective gear, masks, sanitizers and the sanitizing products for the workspace as well as ensuring social distancing of at least 6 ft. Those PPE business needs are a reality of 2020; however, you will also want to make sure the engine is running well under the hood.

5 Things to Check Under the Hood of Your Business:

Reevaluate your vision, mission and goals

COVID-19 has changed the way we do business.  Have you had the opportunity to reevaluate and modify your company’s mission and vision to reflect the differences the health pandemic has impacted on our society? Are your vision, mission and goals the same?

If the vision and mission of your business is different, how have you communicated your messaging to your key stakeholders and customers? If your vision, mission and goals are the same, should they be changed to reflect a different business environment?

How is your business structured?

What type of business structure are you? (E.g., Sole proprietor, LLC, Partnership, Incorporated etc.) When was the last time you reached out to your accountant or attorney to ensure your business structure still matches the vision and goals of your business from when you first started? Have you grown your business or are you the same sized-business as you were 2, 5 or 10 years ago? Make sure your business structure aligns with the structure and offerings of your business in 2020.

Do you have the same customers or target market? 

Is your business stagnant or growing? Do you have the same customers or has your target market shifted due to a decrease/increase in demand or because of a change in technology? Are your customers buying your product or services the same as they did in 2012 — or are you finding most customers are now online versus buying from you in-person?

Audit your customers and ask them directly how like they are to engage in business with you. A fall survey is a great way to make sure that you are offering the best services and products you possibly can as we move into 2021.

Access to Capital 

How much buying power do you have for your business as of August 2020? If you need cash do you have enough money to pivot, target a new client-base or move your services online? How much would these investments cost and how much do you need to be a key player in your industry? Reach out to your financial institution and have them do a financial audit of your business.

If you have a relationship with your bank this is a great way to identify new products and tools that can help you manage opportunities and continue to build your business. If you don’t have a relationship with a bank, begin to build one now for future possibilities and direction.

Identify your Top 5 Opportunities 

As we say goodbye to 2020, (…believe me a lot of us can’t wait to see the back of this year…) what are the remaining 5 opportunities you can identify to help grow your business? There are still four solid months left in the calendar year. What are the opportunities you can squeeze in quickly to help grow your business and give you a giant positive leap into 2021?  Brainstorm with your team and find the opportunities.

In BizLaunch, we continue to keep the under the hood dialogue moving forward. We have two free workshops coming up this month you can participate in. We hope you join us.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: While Arlington Realty, Inc. provides this information for the community, it may not be the listing company of these homes.

The numbers don’t lie, folks.

In our Just Reduced world, where just months ago, there were a dozen (at the most) homes with reduced prices each week in Arlington County, we’re now seeing approximately three times that amount on a regular basis.

Of course, given the current climate, there is a level of uncertainty and, for some folks, some very tricky and difficult scenarios.

But, if you are fortunate enough to be in a buying position right now, there are certainly some advantages. This influx of reduced properties means the sellers out there right now are being a bit more aggressive to get their homes sold.

And, these Just Reduced prices are only the beginning.

With a time-tested and proven team by your side, your buying self can get the most bang for your buck within the evolving market. In addition to the properties that have been reduced already, there are certainly properties that can be negotiated down. When you’re ready to get moving on your search, the team at Arlington Realty, Inc. is ready to roll on your behalf.

Now on to this week’s Just Reduced figures.

As of August 17, there are 157 detached homes, 39 townhouses and 239 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 32 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week:

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc.

Listing of the Day: 2600 Crystal Drive #0613

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/10

Address: 2600 Crystal Drive #0613
Neighborhood: Crystal City
Listed: #0613, 1-bedroom starting at $1,793
Open: Saturday, August 22 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Find your new apartment home in desirable Crystal City; a place that doesn’t compromise on anything. Concord Crystal City’s luxury apartments in Arlington provide perfection in both service and amenities.

Here you’ll never have to choose between amazing living options and superb location. 24-hour concierge and access to our many onsite features — Starbucks right outside your front door and a first-class fitness center to name a few — will cover any and all of your high living expectations.

Enjoy sleek kitchens with stainless steel appliances and under cabinet lighting, flexible living area with enough space for a home office, floor-to-ceiling windows and stylish bathrooms with natural stone tile finish, marble or granite countertops and soaking tubs.

Join the Concord Crystal City leasing team on Saturday, August 22 for light refreshments and treats from Buzz Bakery during your personalized tour of the community. With limited apartment residences remaining, now is your chance.

Listed by:
Concord Crystal City
833-233-2645
[email protected]
www.concordcrystalcity.com

Training Ground Arlington Now Open in Ballston

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Ballston’s newest fitness concept, Training Ground Arlington, provides personal trainers with high-end fitness equipment and exclusive gym space for operating their own programs while bringing some of the best trainers to local clients for truly personalized training.

Most importantly, clients can workout in an exclusive, safe, appointment-based facility without the worry of an uncontrolled gym environment.

Training Ground Arlington is an exclusive shared workspace where trainers can run their own businesses without the hassle of maintaining overhead. Trainers can focus their time and talents on developing personal programs that best benefit their clients. Clients benefit greatly from improved programming, flexible schedules and no cumbersome gym memberships.

Training Ground’s state-of-the-art facility is now open for business, with their soft opening starting this week. Now is the time for clients to get in on the ground floor by taking advantage of grand opening specials and for trainers to sign on while space is still available!

Training Ground is a partner of Next Phase Fitness & Strength Training in Courthouse, where trial personal training sessions can also be held.

For a free consultation, tour or a trial PT session, visit their website or email them directly at the email address below.

Training Ground Arlington is located at 850 N. Randolph Street in Ballston. For more information email [email protected].

Ask Eli: Arlington Single-Family and Townhouse Mid-Year Real Estate Review

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. Please submit your questions to him via email for response in future columns. Enjoy!

Question: How did Arlington’s real estate market perform in the first half of 2020?

Answer: What a wild year it’s been for real estate. After a huge 2019 (SFH/TH review, Condo review), the 2020 market took off in January with prices and competition up sharply. When Coronavirus hit, that momentum tapered off for a couple of months but prices remained steady because of low interest rates and low supply. The Arlington housing supply was down about 400 listings from March-June, but listing activity is surging to historically high levels in July and August, which is traditionally when we see the spring market momentum slow down.

Let’s take a look at how the single-family detached (SFD) and townhouse (TH) market performed in the first half of 2020 using some awesome charts developed by my new partner, the wonderful Alli Torban. We will take a similar look at condos next week.

Note that all of the data used in these charts is based on sales that went under contract from January-June in order to provide the most accurate reflection of the market during the first 6 months. I don’t like using the date a home sold/closed for analysis like this because closing date often lags 30-60 days behind agreement of sale (contract).

Average and median price continued to rise, but not by nearly as much as last year. The total homes transacted in the first six months dropped significantly to 710 from a previous 5-year low of 838, established in 2019.

22207 (most of North Arlington) remains the most expensive place to buy a SFD or TH and 22204 and 22206 (most of South Arlington) remain the most affordable, although we’ve seen strong appreciation in those markets over the last three years.

For new Amazon HQ2 employees hoping to find a SFD or TH to buy within walking distance of your office, your 22202 zip code offers some of the fewest purchase opportunities in the County, so you’ll want to act quickly if you find something you like.

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Cents of Community: Buying a Car at the Dealership

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This monthly column comes from the Arlington Community Federal Credit Union as part of their mission to financially empower the community. Credit unions are not-for-profit member-owned cooperatives and anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, goes to school, or does business in Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, or Fairfax County is eligible to join ACFCU.*

Consumers are starting to purchase vehicles again and now can be a good time to shop for a car.

Dealers are offering discounts to entice buyers, and financing options from financial institutions are very competitive. If you’re in the position to purchase a car, here are some things to consider:

  • Research cars online first: Know what you’re looking for before you go to the dealership. Research quality, safety, features, price and value so you are prepared when you arrive.
  • Compare protection plans and service options between the dealer and a financial institution: Financial institutions may offer options like warranties and GAP insurance that are significantly less expensive than coverage offered by dealerships.
  • Shop around between dealerships: Compare cars at different dealerships and determine the “drive off price” of the ones you’re most interested in. Drive off price includes the list prices, processing fees, taxes, registration and more. If you have an existing car that you’re trading in, compare what different dealerships will offer.
  • Maximize dealership perks: Dealers are trying to entice buyers to purchase right now and may offer the choice between 0% financing or a cash rebate. Compare that to financing offered by your financial institution. If your financial institution can give you a very low loan rate, it may be a better deal to choose the dealer’s rebate and finance with your credit union or bank. ACFCU offers a calculator to help you determine your best option. Some banks and credit unions may “rate match” if another financial institution quotes a lower rate.
  • Shop around if you’re considering a lease: Some credit unions or banks may offer lease-like products with more flexibility and features than the dealerships. Compare options to seek out the most competitive payment scenario.

Not everyone is able to make a major purchase right now, but for those that are, this may be a good time to buy a new or “new-to-you” car. For more tips, contact the ACFCU Loan Advisors at 703-526-0200 option 2. Or apply online to get started, and one of our Advisors will reach out to you and help you through the process.

*Membership eligibility requirements apply. Federally insured by NCUA.

Neighborhood Spotlight: 5 Great Spots for Brunch, Drinks and More!

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This content was written and sponsored by The Keri Shull Team, Arlington’s top producing residential real estate team.

In this week’s Neighborhood Spotlight, we are sharing a throwback video of some of the best places to eat in Crystal City! All of these restaurants and bars are open for in-house dining or take-out options right now, so you can enjoy their fare from the comfort of your own home if you want!

As always, we are looking for more places to highlight in our Spotlight series. So if you have a favorite restaurant or nightlife spot that you’d like to see us share, just let us know down in the comments — we’d love to check it out!

Bob & Edith’s Diner

As a 24/7 joint that’s been run by the same family for 3 generations of owners, Bob & Edith’s Diner has existed as a mainstay in the Arlington dining scene for over half a century. Bob and Edith Bolton first opened their doors in 1969, and their family has been serving traditional diner fare ever since.

If you are looking for a classic diner experience in Arlington, you can’t do much better than Bob & Edith’s. From the homey, “seat yourself” atmosphere to the no-nonsense, southern-inspired food, everything about this joint screams comfort.

Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant

You don’t have to go to Virginia Beach to get the full beachside experience in Virginia! Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant is a high-energy, vibrantly colored spot for cocktails and classic American fare in Crystal City.

As one of NoVA’s most prominent LGBTQ nightlife spots, Freddie’s has become famous for its welcoming atmosphere and drag nights, though there are plenty of other specials to enjoy, as well. Their signature “Crazy Hour” lasts from 4-7 p.m. on every night that they are open, and they host massively fun karaoke offerings to boot!

Please note that, during the current COVID-19 regulations, Freddie’s Beach Bar is offering curbside takeout as well as both interior and exterior dining. Their award-winning brunch is still available on the weekend, but it is now a menu-based experience as opposed to their traditional buffet style.

Federico Ristorante Italiano

Right down the road from Freddie’s is another establishment owned by Freddie Lutz, the Italian restaurant Federico!

For 25 years, Lutz worked as a maitre d’ at Cafe Italia, a long-standing institution in the world of Arlington food. When the eatery shuttered its doors in April of 2018, he stepped in to revive it as Federico.

Federico boasts authentic Italian food in Northern Virginia, as well as a unique collection of drinks and desserts to sate your appetite for the sweet and exotic!

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Listing of the Day: 3616 Arlington Boulevard

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/10

Address: 3616 Arlington Boulevard
Neighborhood: Arlington Heights
Listed: $725,000
Open: Sunday, August 16 from 1-4 p.m.

Nothing to do but move into this pristine, classic Arlington colonial with rare main level bedroom and bathroom with separate entry — many recent updates including new heating and air conditioning, stainless kitchen appliances, renovated bath with double sinks in marble topped vanity and glass enclosed shower.

Among the desirable details: wood burning fireplace in the living room, private home office on the main level with built-ins and closet, dining room open to kitchen featuring light wood cabinets, granite tops, gas cooking and a door to the big deck.

Upstairs, the primary bedroom has two closets — one a “step in” — and room for large furniture, a second bedroom, renovated bath and linen storage. The lower level provides a rec room for media, play, office, Zooming and music.  With the third full bath on this level, it also doubles as a guest space. Laundry and storage room, and a utility room complete the level.

The yard is well landscaped, and the back yard gardener will appreciate the planting beds brimming with veggies ready to be harvested. A garden shed is handy for storing bikes and gardening equipment. The big deck has space for dining and relaxing.

A well poised house for easy commute to Washington, Rosslyn-Ballston business corridor, Pentagon, Reagan National Airport, and Pentagon and Crystal Cities at National Landing — plus Fort Myer/Henderson Hall, Army Readiness Center and Foreign Service Institute.

Conveniently located between Ballston and Columbia Pike’s shops, restaurants, services, and near parks and bike trails. Let your urban spirit shine in this Arlington gem. For 3D tour go to BetsyTwigg.com.

Listed by:
Betsy Twigg
McEnearney Associates
703-967-4391
[email protected]
BetsyTwigg.com

Your Beermonger: Hops and Hope

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This sponsored column is written by Steve Quartell, beermonger at Arrowine (4508 Lee Highway). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Order from Arrowine’s expanding online store for curbside pickup.

Happy Smarch 136th.

I’m told this used to be called mid-August, which means from Yakima Valley to the patios of local breweries to maybe even your friends’ backyards, hops are nearly ready to be picked for the 2020 crop.

Bines have been creeping and climbing all summer. And the other day I came across a photo that just… hit me.

Photo via Kent Falls Brewing Co. Instagram

Just a single, not-quite-mature hop cone from Kent Falls Brewing Company in Connecticut. I have no connection to them at all… but man did it touch on something.

Because believe it or not, we are less than 40 days from the end of Summer. So despite everything that’s happened this year — harvest season is coming.

It’s something to keep in mind for sure when we sit down around the dinner table. Human hands still bring more food to our table than we generally ever think about, and hop harvesting is intensely manual. Something to be grateful for — and also as the time of year is upon us, maybe even hopeful?

Every year the jokes are the same, “Oktoberfest? It’s September! (Or August! Or July!?)”

“Pumpkin beer? Already? Again?”

But what if we took a different tack? We can look back on last year and roll our eyes at ever more seasonal creep, but I look forward to featuring a few good pumpkin beers, and more than a few good and great Oktoberfest beers. And as the leaves eventually change — toward wet hop beers, even more ambers and brown ales — sipping on a nice stout by a fire.

So, what if instead, we looked forward? What if we hope for something coming over the horizon?

The word “hope” almost catches in my throat. But there has got to be something to look forward to. Maybe you look forward to wet hopped, fresh from the harvest IPAs and Pale Ales. Maybe it’s Oktoberfest and the clean but slightly sweet finish of a Bavarian Helles, or the perfect balance of noble hop, and munich malt of a Marzen.

It’s almost like the serotonin boost you get from just planning a vacation. I know the thought of a great Marzen has gotten me through this summer and boy, dropping a few barspoons full of my wife’s homemade eggnog in a snifter of Kentucky Christmas morning might pull me through the rest of the year.

Because, whether it’s early or not for pumpkin ale — the beers appearing on the scene right now start my favorite three or four months of beer — Oktoberfest, Pumpkin beers and wet hop beers all around.

I find brown ales, amber ales and oatmeal stouts really hit just right as the leaves change and it’s all capped off by fresh Sierra Nevada Celebration and the countdown to Hardywood Gingerbread Stout and variants

So with that in mind, let me know in the comments what you most look forward to this time of year and beyond — you may find they’re some of the beers and styles I’ve mentioned throughout the column — if so, go ahead and take 10% off on me with promo code FORWARD.

Cuz we could all use something to look forward to right?

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