Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Alair Homes in Arlington: New Name, Same Values

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Arlington Construction Management is now Alair Homes Arlington. While the company’s name is new, its values remain the same.

Alair Homes Arlington specializes in residential construction for people in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Home projects range from renovating a bathroom to building an entirely new abode.

Check out the before and after photos from one recent Alair project, above.

Because of the company’s reputation in the industry, they’re able to score discounts from vendors, which they pass along to budget-conscious clients. The idea is to build better and save more.

Alair Homes Arlington also works to eliminate any unexpected surprises. Before entering an agreement, projects are fully scoped, priced and validated. Alair’s unique Client Control approach to construction – which it uses for every project — gives homeowners the certainty they deserve before their project actually ever begins.

“It was the first time in my life working with a contractor that not only everything on my written list was addressed in the proposal, but all the things that we verbally talked about were itemized and listed out as well–we were just blown away,” said homeowner Kim, in a testimonial video.

Once the project is underway, clients use an online portal to manage costs, schedule payments, make selections, and more. The portal is also a way to communicate project managers, who receive ongoing training on a weekly and monthly basis.

“There’s a quality aspect as well and that was delivered, which is a very delicate and difficult balance to do,” Kim said. “From an overall standpoint when you’re talking about wanting a project to be delivered that’s on time, on budget, and meets your quality expectations, Alair Homes does a great job and will definitely be able to meet that for you.”

Please contact me at [email protected] if interested in joining us for a home building seminar we are presenting in partnership with Keri Shull Team.

The preceding was sponsored by Alair Homes Arlington.

The Chew: Proper Puppy Socialization and the Well-Balanced Dog

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

The following bi-weekly column is written and sponsored by Bark + Boarding, which provides a heart-centered and safe environment for your pets. Conveniently located at 5818-C Seminary Road in Bailey’s Crossroads, Bark + Boarding offers doggy daycare, boarding, grooming, walking and training services, plus in-home pet care.

by Lisa Stolaruk, Writer and Animal Enthusiast

Daisy, my childhood companion and protector, was a sweet and loving Maltese/Wire-Haired Terrier blend who was the absolute light of my young life.

She was my “velcro dog” whose sole purpose of existence was to ensure that I was always safe and happy. Yet, life with Daisy was not without its challenges, particularly when friends prepared to leave the house. At the first sign of departure, which was usually marked by rising from their seated position, Daisy would begin barking aggressively, charging toward them and retreating and guarding the front door.

She never barked when people came into the house, but her aggressive behavior when they tried to leave was not only frightening but baffling.

Why and how did Daisy develop this odd behavior? No one will ever know for sure, but it’s safe to assume that the lack of proper socialization as a young pup somehow provided the foundation for the problem.

Three weeks to three months of age is the optimal time for a pup to bond to other animals and individuals, to learn that objects, people and environments are safe, and to recognize the meaning of body cues and signals from others. Puppies who are not adequately socialized during this period may become fearful of unfamiliar people, dogs, sounds, objects and/or environments.

Why Socialize your Puppy?

Your pup’s entire environment is new, strange and unusual, so consider everything he encounters as an opportunity to make a positive association.

Try to come up with as many different types of people, places and noises as you can and slowly expose your puppy to them. If possible, have him walk on carpet, hardwood, tile and linoleum floors. Have him meet an older person, a child or teenager, a person wearing sunglasses, a man with a beard or wearing a hat, a person using crutches. Expose him to vacuums and brooms, cars, buses and trucks.

Be creative and make each experience positive. Always reward your pup with plenty of praise and treats when he reacts to new situations in a calm and curious manner. (more…)

Rethink Energy: Free Electric Vehicle Chargers

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This regularly-scheduled sponsored column is written by the Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy team (AIRE). This county program helps you make smart energy decisions that save you money and leaves a lighter footprint on the environment. 

Do you own an electric vehicle, or have you thought of purchasing one?

Electric vehicles, or EVs, offer a number of benefits over their gas-guzzling cousins: they’re cheaper to operate, easier on the environment and come flush with exciting new technologies. But if you live in a multifamily building, finding a place to charge your EV can be a challenge.

Enter Electrify America. As part of the Volkswagen settlement, Electrify America is installing $40 million worth of electric vehicle charging stations across the country. They’re specifically looking for suggestions of multifamily buildings and workplaces that could benefit from an EV charger.

That’s right, your multifamily building or workplace could have an electric vehicle charging station installed for free. Here’s how it works:

  1. Visit electrifyamerica.com/submissions before March 1.
  2. Select “Specific Site Location” from the first dropdown menu, where it says “Submission Type.”
  3. Fill in the rest of the form. This should only take a few minutes.
  4. Electrify America will weigh these suggestions over the coming months. If your site is selected, they’ll reach back out to you.

Make sure you submit your building or workplace before the March 1 deadline. If you would like assistance filling out the form or have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

Open Houses in Arlington This Weekend

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Looking for a home? There are plenty of houses and condos open for viewing this weekend.

Check out the Arlington Realty website for a full list of homes for sale and open houses in Arlington. Here are a few highlights:


1040 Edgewood Street N
5 bed/4 bath, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Ruth Boyer O’dea
Listed: $1,880,000
Open: Saturday 2-4 p.m., Sunday 2-4 p.m.


3504 16TH Street S
5 bed/4 bath, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Raymond Gernhart
Listed: $1,075,000
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.


3854 Upland Street N
3 bed/2 bath, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Jill Burke
Listed: $829,000
Open: Saturday 1-3 p.m., Sunday 1-3 p.m. (more…)

Flying Colors: April Fools

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Flying Colors is a sponsored column on the hobby of backyard bird feeding written by Michael Zuiker, owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited store at the Lee Harrison Shopping Center. Visit the store at 2437 N. Harrison Street or call 703-241-3988.

Wait? What? It is only February 16. What are you talking about? There is no April Fools in Winter.

But you can easily be fooled in Winter. When the thermometer skyrockets into the 70’s and short sleeved men and women whack little balls on the golf course. It’s easy to see how you can be fooled. In February in Winter. When Cardinals start their melodic songs before the first light of dawn and brown lawns show signs of sprouting new garden flowers, it is easy to be fooled. In February in Winter. When outdoor seating is filled to capacity in cafes and coffee shops and the brisk walk of Winter has slowed to a leisurely pace, it is easy to be fooled in February in Winter.

Oh, and don’t look now, but our temps are going to drop by 48 degrees in the next day, so no Winter is not over. Even if the cold and snow do not come back, all of your backyard birds are still in need of foods that you have been providing. While we are snuggling in front of the fireplace watching the Olympics, they are hanging on — literally — the branches and shrubs at night staying warm.

They can only do that if they are sufficiently filled in their stomachs, with high fat foods. Suet and tree nuts are two great sources of fat that your birds need. The nights are still longer than the days. Your chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers and all the other wild birds need to eat a lot. Also, those early morning love songs are not for our pleasure.

Although who cannot be enthralled when those songs come floating down the street into your yard. Birds are beginning to stake their claim for breeding territory and to attract mates. You know how hard it was to race around town to get those flowers and chocolates! Well the birds have to stand out also or they will be left out in the cold. This requires a lot of energy to set up a breeding territory, attract a mate; fight for that mate; mate; and then with success, feed the mate and offspring.

That is were your feeders are invaluable. Multiple sources of high fat foods and foods with protein will help the songs in your backyard multiply. And multiply they will. Many of our birds will start breeding in the middle of March. By the middle of April there will be a tremendous amount of new activity flying around your yard.

Sadly, many species of birds are in a decline. After watching 250 robins eat every berry off many large holly trees in the last month you would think they are doing well. That is not the case for this iconic bird of our yards. It is in decline. Installing and monitoring their nest boxes can help this bird try to recover and build a healthy population. (more…)

Just Listed in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Just Listed banner

Just Listed highlights Arlington properties that just came on the market within the past week. This feature is written and sponsored by Team Cathell, “Your Orange Line Specialists.”

Buyers enjoyed a tidal wave of new listings this week, but rising interest rates rained on their parade.

Some 92 fresh new listings came on the market in Arlington, and buyers ratified 54 contracts. An incredible 24 new listings sold within seven days. And 10 of the homes ratified this week were listed over $1m helping to strengthen the upper end market.

But buyers got hammered by a jump in mortgage rates. The 30-yr fixed rate is now 1/4% higher than it was last week ranging now at 4.5%-4.65% for a 30-yr fixed. In this volatile mortgage market, rates vary greatly among lenders so buyers should shop diligently, and quickly, once they ratify an offer and can lock in their rate.  A half point increase would cost roughly $90/mo on a $300k loan.

Rates are expected to continue their climb. Inflation surged last month by 1/2% to an annual rate 2.1% which will likely inspire the Federal Reserve to raise short term rates sooner than later this year.

Click to see all the fresh new inventory in MRIS and call Team Cathell (703-975-2500) when you find a home you like.

Free Home Buying Workshop to be Held in Rosslyn February 19

The first 3 to register and attend the class get a FREE Google Chromecast!

Attend the free Home Buyer Class hosted by Orange Line Living and learn all of our tips and get $1,500 towards your next home purchase. Plus, another $500 towards appraisal from our friends at Pure Mortgage!

How much is a down payment on a house?

A lot of people think you still need 20% to put down on a house – that is not the case. Here are a few other options:

0% down: Veterans and active duty military are eligible for no down payment. Also, most cities and states have down payment assistance programs. Virginia’s VHDA and DC’s “DC Opens Doors” programs can allow you to get a 0% down payment without being in the military.

3% to 3.5% down: Conventional or FHDA loans

5% to 15% down: There are many options for putting this amount down, typically the more you put down the better your interest rate will be.

Learn More About Home Buying Essentials at Arlington’s Free Home Buying Workshop

You will get a comprehensive explanation of the home purchasing process – there’s more to know than you’d think.

The Orange Line Living Team and Keri Shull Team will be teaching all of the acronyms and definitions you will need, what happens at each stage of your transaction, real strategies on how to negotiate a lower purchase price, the different type of loans available and much more. There will be local specialists from multiple industries in attendance, so come with questions.

Benefits of Attending

  • $1,500 credit towards your new home or towards early lease termination
  • 12-month home buy-back guarantee
  • Wine and cheese provided
  • The first 3 to attend will receive a Google Chromecast!

Space is limited, register by clicking here.

The event is hosted by best-selling author and top nationally-ranked real estate agent Dan Lesniak, author of The HyperLocal HyperFast Real Estate Agent. Dan and his team have developed a special process that has allowed them to help over one thousand local families buy or sell their home.

Details

  • When: Monday, February 19 at 6 p.m.
  • Where: Orange Line Living, 1600 Wilson Blvd, Suite 101, Arlington, VA
  • Cost: Free
  • Parking: Validated Parking or Free Street Parking
  • Food: Wine and Cheese
  • Contact: [email protected] or call 571-969-7653

Space is limited so be sure to register at arlingtonhomebuyerclass.com.

Limited Spaces Remain Available in the Kindergarten Program at St. Thomas More Cathedral School

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Families with prospective kindergarteners for the 2018-2019 school year are encouraged to apply for admission at St. Thomas More Cathedral School as the program is now nearing full capacity.

Children must be 5 years old by September 30, 2018 to register. The application form is located here: K-8 Application.

St. Thomas More Cathedral School is an authentic Catholic learning community that promotes the spiritual, moral and intellectual excellence of students in PreK through 8th grade. Recently, STM made history as the first elementary school in the world to launch a CubeSatellite and is recognized by The U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School since 2006.

Teachers at St. Thomas More differentiate instruction in the classroom by meeting with students in small groups to reach all levels of learners.

The curriculum includes The Comprehension Toolkit featuring Daily 5, Writer’s Workshop, Words Their Way, Everyday Mathematics, character education and service learning. Students attend special classes in Spanish, Physical Education, Music, Art, Library and Technology.

Opportunities for movement and socialization are woven into the day, including three recess periods. Throughout the year kindergarten students present six performances for their families, prayer partners and friends. These include We Sing America, Corn Feast Reader’s Theatre, The Nativity, Bible Plays, Manners Tea and a Kindergarten Closing Ceremony.

A sample of a typical day in kindergarten can be found here.

As an added convenience, extended care is offered both before and after school from 7 a.m. until the school day begins, and again after school until 6:15 p.m. More than 45 extracurricular choices are available including athletics, band, scouts and high interest enrichment classes.

Students come to STM from Arlington, as well as Alexandria, Fairfax County, the District of Columbia and Maryland. The diverse backgrounds and experiences of our families contribute to the welcoming spirit you will find at Saint Thomas More.

The Diocese of Arlington and the STM School and parish community are committed to making a Catholic education attainable for all who seek it. All families are encouraged to apply for tuition aid if assistance is needed and 30% of current students receive financial aid.

St. Thomas More Cathedral School is conveniently located at 105 N. Thomas St, in the center of Arlington, VA near the Pentagon, Ballston, Ft. Myer and the National Guard. Visit our website for further information regarding the admissions process. To schedule a tour call 703-528-6781 x242 or email [email protected].

Small Biz Focus: Social Entrepreneurs Weave a Path to Sustainability

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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

The World Economic Forum defines social entrepreneurs as people who harness the power of market forces and business principles to solve social problems.

Many people around the world, especially young innovators, are striving to disrupt business norms and have an impact on some of the toughest problems imaginable. We know that using innovation and technology for social good has been around for some time.

We’ve been buying shoes that are ‘buy one give one,’ fair trading our product sources, sipping coffee with a cause and buying more shoes in the name of contributions to cancer research. But never before has the world seen today’s growth in social responsibility as a sector that attracts investment.

While the makeup of most social entrepreneurships is one of smart, savvy people helping those disadvantaged, Arlington has pioneered a model that puts a vulnerable population on a path to their own sustainability.

It’s been over 30 years since a weaving program for adults with developmental disabilities, first called The Woodmont Weavers, originated in Arlington. Started by parents who sought meaningful activities for their adult children once they left school, the program, now called ArlingtonWeaves, Etc., is a premier feature of Arlington’s Department of Human Services and run by Service Source, Inc.

It’s a long game for sure and one that emphasizes the investment in the human spirit. Where other social services in the U.S. may be satisfied with keeping disabled adults occupied with simple crafts and activities, Arlington’s weavers learn sophisticated, often complex textile skills while improving their social skills and self-sufficiency.

One participant, now 52, doesn’t speak, but his intricate textiles, knitting and tapestries tell a remarkable story of ability.

Creating intricate patterns on textiles for tote bags, tea towels, yoga mat straps, scarves and more, the studio has now become an artisan hub. ArlingtonWeaves, Etc. has become a vendor to Arlington Economic Development’s Made in Arlington initiative, been featured on regional television news, held center stage in a textile exhibit and taken their place among the most viable of social entrepreneurs.

Shop ArlingtonWeaves, Etc. here:

Studio showroom at Sequoia, Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and at the Plaza Library shop,Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

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 licensed broker Aaron Seekford of Arlington Realty, Inc. GET MORE out of your real estate investment with Aaron and his team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6116 today!

Please note: While Aaron Seekford provides this information for the community, he is not the listing agent of these homes.  

After Valentine’s Day, you’ll be able to buy all of the clearance-priced chocolate your tummy can handle. But, in addition to bargains on Russell-Stover filled hearts, what else can you get for a good deal this month?

When it comes to your home and what’s in it, there are a few February deals to keep an eye on. First, February is one of the best months of year to buy a mattress. Come on, you’ve seen all of the commercials from our mattress-selling friends. So, if you’re sleeping on a rock, it’s a good, cheap time to upgrade.

Also, winter is on its last leg of the year (we hope). Now is the time you’ll start to see winter clothing and winter-related gear for your home start to hit the discount rack.

And, when you’re ready to find the biggest and best bargain of all in your real estate search, give my team a shout. We’ve got the scoop and will help you GET MORE out of your transaction.

As of February 12 there are 141 detached homes, 16 townhouses and 174 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 15 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week.

Here is this week’s selection of Just Reduced properties:

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 Aaron Seekford.

Students Fall in Love with Learning at The Sycamore School in Ballston

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by Karyn Ewart, PhD., Founder & Head of School, The Sycamore School

“He used to love school,” is a common refrain I hear from parents.

Too many students are falling out of love with school after elementary school, when school transitions from hands-on learning to rote memorization, layered with a lot of homework and a culture of acceleration.

Schools are holding college preparedness workshops at the end of elementary school; middle schoolers are taking numerous high school credit courses; then, in high school, students are encouraged to take as many AP classes as possible, so that they can earn college credit.

The result of this acceleration? Students are constantly worried about how to get ahead instead of being present. How do we stop this vicious cycle of stress and help our kids learn how to learn?

Parents are afraid to ask this question. They need to understand that we can’t engineer a good life for our kids by pushing them beyond what is developmentally appropriate.

As a psychologist, I’ve seen the worry and the angst. You want your kids to discover a passion that will spark learning and lead them into adulthood, but you are afraid that if you don’t go with the flow, and buy into the system of acceleration, your kid will be left out of success later.

Imagine what would happen if your children didn’t have homework, actually enjoyed school and were able to retain what they learned.

What would happen if your children made mistakes and it wasn’t the end of the world? What if they weren’t afraid to fail? What would happen if your kids learned how to manage their time effectively and to think creatively? What would happen if you could let go, just a little, and let your child fall… and then soar?

They would fall in love with learning. Help your child rediscover their love of learning – come visit The Sycamore School; located in the heart of Arlington.

About The Sycamore School

Featuring an urban campus, the Ballston-based school is expanding to serve 5th-10th grades for the 2018-19 school year, with upper grades being added as the class ages up. The Sycamore School features:

  • Inquiry-based, self-paced learning
  • Student-centered classes
  • Hands-on experiential activities
  • Depth vs. breadth of instruction
  • Critical thinking, creative problem solving and teamwork
  • Small classes; 1:10 teacher to student ratio
  • Connecting concepts across content areas & to the real world
  • Opportunities for self-advocacy
  • Organizational & study skills
  • Weekly community activities
  • Regular mindfulness practice
  • Social & Emotional Learning folded into the curriculum
  • Movement incorporated throughout the day
  • No Homework
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