Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Healthy Paws: Heart Disease and Our Fur Children

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Healthy Paws

Editor’s Note: Healthy Paws is a column sponsored and written by the owners of Clarendon Animal Care, a full-service, general practice veterinary clinic and winner of a 2017 Arlington Chamber of Commerce Best Business Award. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

Heart disease in various forms is quite common in dogs and cats.  In fact, veterinarians frequently diagnose patients with heart murmurs, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure and enlarged hearts, just to name a few.

Heart disease in pets can be due to congenital defects (such as a hole in the heart), age-related change (a thickened valve that becomes leaky), problems with the heart muscle itself, heart-worms living in the vessels around the heart or the heart itself, or even be secondary to an unrelated problem that causes changes in hormone levels or electrolytes.

It is interesting to note that, unlike people, cats and dogs rarely have high cholesterol or triglycerides as the underlying cause of their heart disease, and rarely have true “heart attacks.”

The first step in diagnosing heart disease is obtaining a full history, as often there are clinical signs that may be noted at home even before the pet comes in for a full exam.  These include:

  • Elevated resting respiratory rate
  • Persistent coughing and/or difficulty breathing
  • Decreased exercise tolerance or energy in general
  • Collapsing or fainting episodes
  • Decreased appetite
  • Distended abdomen

Other symptoms that may not be apparent at home, but can be picked up by your pet’s veterinarian, include:

  • Irregular heartbeat / arrhythmia
  • Heart murmur (the sound of turbulent blood flow through the heart)
  • Lung sounds that may indicate fluid build-up in or around the lungs
  • Signs of poor oxygenation such as discolored gums
  • Fluid build-up in the abdomen
  • Abnormal blood pressure

Because pets are very good at “hiding” their heart disease, it is not unusual that they can be seemingly asymptomatic for a long period of time and then quite quickly develop severe symptoms of heart disease such as coughing, respiratory distress, or collapsing episodes.  This is especially true in cats, as they are well-known for showing very few symptoms of heart disease until their disease is quite advanced.

If your pet is diagnosed with a heart murmur or arrhythmia on routine physical exam additional testing may be recommended.  This may include bloodwork to look for underlying metabolic or electrolyte abnormalities, chest x-rays to evaluate the shape and size of the heart and to further evaluate the lungs for evidence of fluid build-up, and/or an EKG to diagnose an abnormal rhythm.

In some cases, referral to a veterinary cardiologist may be indicated. Veterinary cardiologists have special training in diagnosing and treating heart-related conditions.

One of the most important tests they perform is an echocardiogram, or ultrasound of the heart. This allows visualization of the structure of the heart muscle and valves, as well as flow of blood through the heart. This is a specialized test not routinely performed by most family veterinarians, but provides very valuable information about the underlying cause of the symptoms and can help us more effectively manage the heart disease.

Studies have shown that pets in congestive heart failure may live up to 75 percent longer when co-managed by a veterinary cardiologist and their primary veterinarian.

We are fortunate in the Northern Virginia/D.C. metropolitan area to have one of the country’s premier veterinary cardiology groups nearby – Chesapeake Veterinary Cardiology Associates. Their website is a wealth of information for any pet parent whose furry friend has been diagnosed with heart disease.

When caught early, most heart disease conditions in our pets can be managed,and some for quite a long time. If your pet is experiencing any of the symptoms above please consult with your family veterinarian for further evaluation. If your pet has been diagnosed with a heart condition, additional resources and educational material can be found with the links below.

Additional Resources:

How to Save $30,000 Selling Your Home

washington DC real estate

homezen saves you thousands by making it easy to sell your home without an agent.

As fall cools down and the housing market heats up, homezen can save you up to $30,000 or more by helping you sell without an agent.

homezen has already helped 28 homesellers in DC, Virginia, and Maryland save more than $600,000 this year.

What’s homezen? homezen is a digital service that makes it easy to sell your home quickly without an agent and saves you the broker’s commission.

washington dc real estate

How? For a low flat fee they give you everything you need, including help pricing, professional photography and they get you on the MLS (and Redfin, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com and other sites buyers and agents use).

Oh, and they have the lockbox and paperwork covered too. Their professionals support you all the way through the process, so you can go through each step with confidence.

homezen even makes it easy to get started with a free instant home valuation, and you can schedule a free call with one of homezen’s experts to learn more.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for homezen today.

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Just Reduced Properties In Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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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.

“A $50,000 reduction on a $2 million home isn’t that good of a bargain!”

As we’re now in our second year of “Just Reduced,” it’s among the most common feedback our team receives – that the reductions listed just aren’t that significant and you’re not saving that much off the original price of a home.

On that note: A friendly reminder that a home’s listing price (whether reduced or not) is really only the beginning.

A reduced price home can signify that a seller is more willing to negotiate and may be under immediate pressure/a time constraint to sell a home. That’s why this column exists – to highlight the homes that are moving, shaking and are potentially ready to fly off the shelves in our area.

But beyond the initial price – whatever it may be – you’ll need a trusted agent to help you settle for the absolute best price (and parameters) possible in the end. And that’s where our team is always happy to help you GET MORE out of your purchase.

As of August 22, there are 235 detached homes, 55 townhouses and 274 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 63 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.

Getting Into the Season: Local Holiday Marketing Tips

The hustle and bustle of the holidays are rapidly approaching the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. The days are shorter, the leaves are beginning to change color and local businesses are pushing their holiday marketing efforts.

When we discussed how to increase your revenue without relying on discounts and sales, we mentioned the need for creating personalized and memorable customer experiences. Holidays present a great opportunity for marketing to your customers around a topic that is relevant, that they’re fully aware of and that they’re interested in.

Here are a few simple ways to get creative with your local holiday marketing that works in conjunction with your digital signage and will keep your clients interested in following your brand.

Oktoberfest: Whether you choose to don Lederhosen or not, it’s hard to ignore that Oktoberfest events have continued to gain popularity in the local area, especially amongst millennials. Take advantage of this celebration by promoting happy hour specials or outdoor Biergarten parties.

Lighting of the National Christmas Tree: This time-honored tradition has been a staple of Washington Christmas celebrations for more than 90 years. Create templates that show off your holiday and American spirit for this historic event by displaying a slideshow of previous Christmas Tree lighting ceremonies alongside your regularly scheduled content. You could even host your very own holiday lighting ceremony for customers or guests!

New Year’s Eve in the City: As we close out the year and welcome a new one, all of our local communities showcase an impressive display of colorful fireworks at midnight. How can your business ring in the new year?

Engage your clients with crowdsourced social media. Ask your customers to submit their photos and New Year’s Resolutions with a custom hashtag and then display the content in-store. They will be thrilled to see their posts on your screen as they countdown to midnight! It’s a cheap and fun method to build customer engagement.

White House Easter Egg Roll: Since the 1800s, local children and their families have been invited to the White House Lawn for the Easter Egg Roll. Decorate your templates like you would do with an Easter egg, or hide rabbits and eggs in your designs for kids to discover. Additionally, you could run kid-friendly events for your business that the whole family can enjoy.

Cherry Blossom Festival: When winter begins to thaw, the cherry blossom trees quickly steal the spotlight in D.C. Rows of beautiful pink blooms give way to some brilliant marketing ideas. Decorate your display templates with cherry blossom frames and springtime coloring.

Fourth of July: There’s something special about celebrating Independence Day on the lawn of the National Mall. Make a bang with your red, white and blue themed designs and include motion graphic fireworks to woo customers.

Local businesses that can creatively adjust their marketing strategies during the holiday season will drive sales and maintain high levels of customer engagement. A digital signage strategy that takes advantage of theses occasions is sure to bring attention to any store or business.

Jacqueline Hoffmann is a Solutions Consultant at Mvix, a leading provider of content-rich digital signage solutions. She leads the Washington, D.C. team, working with designers and engineers to build digital signage networks that connect brands with people. To learn more about Mvix, please visit www.mvixdigitalsignage.com or call 703.584.4304.

Ask Eli: Aurora Highlands Neighborhood Spotlight

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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

Where is it? Most people would consider Aurora Highlands to be Crystal City and Pentagon City because to the north, it contains the Pentagon City mall, borders S. Eads Street to the east, Virginia Highlands Park/S. Joyce Street to the west, and the southern tip of Arlington along S. Glebe Road to the south.

It’s a diverse neighborhood with everything from large apartment buildings to residential streets lined with cape cods and brand new Craftsman homes, mixed in with the mall, office space, dining and retail.

Unlike most neighborhoods with single family homes, Aurora Highlands has easy access to two Metro stations and you can’t live closer to Reagan National Airport! Students living in Aurora Highlands attend Oakridge Elementary, Gunston Middle and Wakefield High Schools.

About the interviewee: Lisa Curtin moved from the Chicago suburbs to her apartment at Crystal House in 2015 when she was relocated for her career in Student Tourism. Shortly after the move, she became the COO of an Accounting firm in Bethesda, but loves the neighborhood so much that she’d rather commute every day to Bethesda than move closer to work.

She picked Crystal House because she’d never lived in a city before, loved the larger, renovated apartments, and was located close to the Crystal City Underground. Lisa is strongly considering buying nearby once she’s done renting.

What do you love about Aurora Highlands?

Where do I start? The accessibility to the Metro and major roads for commuting and going out couldn’t be better; we’re a few quick stops to downtown D.C. Within a few blocks there are parks, family-owned bars and restaurants, shopping and trails.

Where do you shop, eat, and hang out?

I love Tortoise & Hare (have to try the loaded tater tots), Crystal City Sports Pub and Freddie’s Beach Bar. I do most of my grocery shopping at the Harris Teeter or Aldi and work out at the new Orange Theory.

I also walk on the Four Mile Run and Mount Vernon Trails, and hang out at Long Branch Park when the weather is nice. I suggest everybody check out Fridays at the Foundation (pictured), if they haven’t already.

Do you have any experience with the school system?

I don’t personally, but my neighbors considered sending their kids to private school and decided to stick with the local public schools and are very happy with their experience at Oakridge Elementary School. They intend for their kids to use the public school system serving our neighborhood through high school!

What sort of identity does Aurora Highlands have?

I don’t think most people understand that Aurora Highlands is its own neighborhood, adjacent to Crystal City and Pentagon City, so we’re doing a lot to identify ourselves with new signage and a strong Civic Association. It’s such a unique pocket of Arlington because it has traditional single family neighborhoods alongside condos, apartments, office space and retail.

It gives the neighborhood a vibrancy that’s hard to match and there’s a great mood walking around because people take care of themselves and the community. You get all of these city-like benefits but at a much more affordable price than other parts of Arlington and D.C.

Thank you so much for your interview Lisa! I’m sure this will help people considering a move into or within Arlington who are looking for the type of community you described.

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column, please send an email to [email protected]. To read any of my older posts, visit the blog section of my website at www.EliResidential.com. Call me directly at (703) 539-2529.

Eli Tucker is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with Real Living At Home, 2420 Wilson Blvd #101 Arlington, VA 22201, (202) 518-8781.

Deal of the Day: 50% Off SIPtember Events in Crystal City

In Crystal City, the month of September becomes SIPtember, with a series of events that brings the community together over fine wine, craft beers, and quality entertainment.

With today’s ARLnow Deal of the Day, tickets are 50 percent off for both the Sip & Salsa and Pups & Pilsners events. The first 50 guests at each of the September Fridays at the Fountain will also receive a special Happy Hour Deal.

Sip & Salsa discount code: SIPtember@Salsa2017

Pups & Pilsners discount code: SIPtember@PuPs2017

Fridays at the Fountain: First 50 mentions of this deal each week receive a special Happy Hour Deal!

More information on each event is below.

Sip and Salsa – 11th Annual

September 10 from 2-6 p.m.
220 20th Street S.

The region’s longest running inside the beltway outdoor wine festival returns to Crystal City combining the tastes of Spanish and South American wines from Jaleo and the Crystal City Wine Shop with delicious foods from around the region. Free Salsa dancing lessons from The Salsa Room and live music round out the 11th annual event. General admission tickets (wine and food) are normally $20 and food tickets are $10 when purchased online – both are 50% off with today’s Daily Deal. Purchase tickets.

Pups and Pilsners – 6th Annual

September 17 from 2-6 p.m.
12th Street S. & Crystal Drive

Bring your friends – of both the two and four-legged variety – to the annual Pups and Pilsners outdoor beer festival in Crystal City. This dog-friendly festival features a beer garden with craft brews and offerings from local breweries and dog friendly attractions including a fenced dog run. Plan a picnic or grab a bite from a local Crystal City restaurant or on-site food truck. General admission tickets are normally $20 when purchased online, but only $10 with today’s Daily Deal. Purchase tickets.

Fridays at the Fountain

Every Friday through October from 5-9 p.m.
Across from 1750 Crystal Drive

Crystal City’s popular outdoor beer and wine garden continues with a special “beer takeover” by a different craft brewery each week throughout SIPtember including Three Notch’d, New District, Caboose Brewing Company, Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company, and Right Proper Brewing Company. Catch a great line-up of local live music on the Keolis Stage and take in the beautiful ambiance of the overhead LED lights and the Fountain. We, the Pizza will be onsite selling pizza, water, and soft drinks. Entry is free, but the first 50 customers to mention this ARLnow deal will receive a special Happy Hour Deal.

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The Chew: Back to School, For Your 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 Rae Patterson, Writer and Animal Enthusiast

August is “Back-to-School” month, and it may be time for your dog to do some learning as well. We all know dogs are clever animals, but did you know that according to Dr. Stanley Coren, an expert in canine intelligence, the average dog can understand about 165 words, possibly more with training?

Dogs are amazing creatures, and any dog can learn at least 20 basic commands that will help you and your dog communicate on a daily basis. Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog, training is always an option.

With puppies, it’s important to start training early. Usually at around 7-8 weeks old, puppies can begin to learn simple commands like “sit” and “down.” Formal training typically begins around 6 months, but according to VCA Hospital, you don’t want to wait until your puppy is 6 months old to start basic training at home: “The dog is learning from every experience and delaying training means missed opportunities for the dog to learn how you would like him to behave. During the juvenile stage, the dog is beginning to solidify adult behavioral patterns and progresses through fear periods.”

It’s worth it to work with your puppy while they’re in this developmental stage. Just 15 minutes a day, broken into short sessions, will make a huge difference. You can get help from a professional trainer, consult the internet or your local pet store for tips on a training plan. Puppyhood is also the best time to teach your dog how to behave well during walks. It’s a fairly easy task to teach your puppy, but a very difficult behavior to change for an older dog who has learned that it is acceptable to drag you around!

If your new dog is already an adult, don’t worry, it’s not too late for them to learn. Adult dogs can concentrate better than puppies and are just as eager to please. Often behavioral adjustments are as simple as getting settled into the new environment, learning the new routine, and understanding the expectations of the new family.

According to a 2016 study by the Messerli Research Institute at the University of Vienna in their “Clever Dog Lab,” older dogs may take a little longer to learn new things than puppies do, but even senior dogs are able to learn the same amount and level of material. Patience and dedication will yield the same results with your adult dog!

Many of your problems likely stem from your dog’s simple lack of knowledge. Your dog may hear No more often than clear commands. Starting fresh with a new training plan and with a goal of helping your dog learn the desired behaviors is the best way to go.

FidoSavy.com says that “good potty habits, obeying basic obedience commands, and having nice manners are the most important things to work on at first,” and they have some great tips for getting started. If you’d like some in-person help with an older dog, don’t be afraid to join an obedience class. Even if there is a primary problem behavior at home, an obedience class will help re-establish fundamental communication with your dog and will be a fresh bonding experience.

Bark + Boarding would love to work with you on socializing your dog of any age. The best way for us to give you the best recommendation would be to schedule an evaluation for your pup.  During our evaluation process, your dog spends the whole day with us so we get the opportunity to get to know them best and point you in the right direction.

From basic socialization at the park, routine visits in a controlled social environment to a group training class or even one-to-one with a professional trainer.  We can help get you and your dog on track with a realistic plan.  Mention this article for a FREE evaluation and click here to sign up for one today!

If you have a question about your pet’s behavior, feel free to email [email protected]. If you and your pet are featured in an article, you will receive $10 off any of our services!  For more information check out www.BarkandBoarding.com.

*Free evaluations through September 30, 2017.

Rethink Energy: Throwing Shade – Two Arlington Solar & Eclipse Factoids

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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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. Got a question? Email us at [email protected]!

On Monday, August 21, a total eclipse of the sun will be visible across the entire continental United States for the first time in almost 40 years. When the sun isn’t blocked, it offers a terrific, carbon-free source of power. Here are two things to know about solar in Arlington:

  1. Join the Greater Arlington Solar Co-op. More than 80 homeowners have installed solar with this co-op over the past two years, more than doubling the number of systems in Arlington. You can start with a free, no-obligation roof screening by visiting the co-op website before the October 1 deadline. You’ll also learn how you can save around 20 percent on the cost of a system, reduce your energy bills and help make Arlington a more sustainable community.
  2. Discovery Elementary is Arlington’s first net-zero energy school. That means that it creates as much power as it uses on an annual basis. This is due to its energy-efficient design and their massive rooftop solar installation. We’ll be watching the Discovery Elementary Energy Dashboard during the eclipse. As you may know, even a partial eclipse causes a significant decrease in the amount of solar power generated by solar cells. The 80 percent totality will occur at 2:32 pm. Will we see an 80 percent correlated decrease in power generation? Check the dashboard to find out after the eclipse!

Here is a link to Discovery’s Live Energy Dashboard

Flying Colors: A Different World

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Flying Colors column banner

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.

Last week, my son and I traveled to a different world. It was still on the planet Earth. It was still in the United States. It was actually in Wisconsin. But it was a different world.

For you see, my son and I travelled to the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Where you can stand on a bridge or hill and have a 360 degree view of beauty. Beauty in the form of tall Spruce, Norwegian Pine, Cedar, Oak and Maple trees rising up to the sky. Clean, strong, perfect in their shape and form; not pulled down or suffocated by invasive walls of vines and killing weeds. A sky that is at once crystal clear cerulean blue, and slate grey and robin’s egg blue. A sky that changes in a blink of the eye from bunny rabbit soft pillow clouds to massive Cumulus Nimbus “Big Momma” thunderstorms that dare you to get in their way.

And a landscape that offers you wide open vistas that are not decimated into 4,000 irregular pieces by telephone lines, power poles, billboards, buildings or cellular towers which allows you to watch these majestic storms roll over the corn and wheat fields, laying down their torrential rains from 45 miles away.

A world where animals and birds live and die as the natural order set it in place. Where loons make daily recordings of their spooky and siren call. Where geese fly low over water with their natural call as they settle in for the night.

Ducks swim mightily up the Wisconsin River as if going to the gym to build up strength for the coming seasons. Great Blue Herons stand straight and erect on shallow ground waiting for the unsuspecting fish to come into striking range. Where squadrons of Cedar Waxwings put on nightly aerial shows that rival Cirque de Soleil as they feed on flying insects and ripe berries from the shrubs. Warblers, sparrows and Kingbirds all feast on the flying insects; which there are no shortage of.

If you see one mosquito, you see 10,173 in every 10 square feet of space. In other words, the size of one adult male, six feet tall. But mosquitos drift and they like water. And when they fly over a watery surface and hungry carnivores lie waiting underneath, the show is about to begin.

Panfish species of fish, aptly named for fitting in a frying panning heated with butter, explode out of the water with mouth wide open to gorge themselves before nightfall. When the water is stone cold grey and still like a sheet of ice, the fish bug show is mesmerizing. Nature though has one more surprise in store before the day ends.

With a clear view of the horizon and with a water canvas for the foreground, the sunsets can create colorful masterpieces for up to two hours. The bright yellow setting orb begins to pull in colors of orange and tan and sienna and red into its sphere. With charity in its heart, the sun then explodes out these colors it has gathered and paints the sky. Minute after minute the sky changes. And just when you think the sun is done, lost below the horizon, it paints with more colors a masterpiece.

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Just Listed in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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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.”

Arlington’s summertime real estate market is still quite lazy with only 50 homes sold this week, eight of those within seven days. Sellers were more active putting 74 homes on the market. It was an especially good week for mid-priced single family homes with numerous choices in the $700,000 – $950,000 price range.

The days on market has nudged up to 45, and the “months of inventory” also climbed from 2.1 as recently as May, to 2.9 this week. Interest rates stayed totally flat, still hovering at 4% with no points for a 30-yr fixed rate.

Buyers have a window of opportunity between now and early September to negotiate good deals with sellers before the market shifts into high gear after Labor Day when scores of buyers compete for nice homes. And, buyers can lock in these low rates before they start to rise.

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

Ready Arlington: Preparedness Preseason

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This biweekly column is sponsored by the Arlington Department of Public Safety Communications & Emergency Management.

While some people are excited for September because of cooler weather and all things flavored pumpkin spice, we are excited because its National Preparedness Month.

We’re available year around, but our annual preparedness outreach push begins much like the NFL this month, with some preseason events!

Now an annual tradition, the Arlington County Fair and Arlington County Police, Fire, Sheriff Block Party are two grand events where we get to showcase what Ready Arlington is about, and what you can do to be prepared for disasters large and small.

There will be giveaways and fun for kids of all ages, spin our Wheel of Disaster or take a crack at our Tower of Preparedness. You can take a turn to answer questions about disasters, meteorology, emergency communications and personal preparedness.

Staff will be on hand to assist you with updating your Arlington Alert account, explain what information you need to know when calling or texting 9-1-1, and we’ll have a sample “Go-Bag” with emergency supplies and checklists to help you build effective preparedness kits at home, work or while you’re out and about.

We’ll be at the Arlington County Fair, inside the Gymnasium starting at 3 p.m. on August 18-20.  Arlington County government’s theme this year is superheroes, and our super power is being ready.

The Arlington County Police, Fire, Sheriff Block Party runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017.  We’ll have an outreach table, and our Emergency Communications Center staff will be participating in several demonstrations with ACPD.

Can’t make it to our preseason events? Follow the newly renamed Arlington County Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management on Facebook and Twitter for all the info on National Preparedness Month. And be sure to sign up for emergency alerts at ArlingtonAlert.com.

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