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This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement, and private sector employee matters.

By John V. Berry, Esq.

What is the Hatch Act?

The Hatch Act of 1939 (Hatch Act), 5 U.S.C. §§ 7321-7326, was enacted by Congress in an attempt to keep politics out of normal government operations. The Hatch Act is a federal law that prohibits civilian federal government employees of the Executive Branch from engaging in certain political activities, such as influencing elections, participating in or managing political campaigns, holding public office or running for office as a member of a political party.

Purpose of the Hatch Act

The Hatch Act was intended to prohibit federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity that might influence normal government activities. Government authorities typically apply the Hatch Act when attempting to curtail political activities by federal employees and supervisors while on duty.

In addition, the Hatch Act can also apply to certain state, local or District of Columbia government employees whose principal employment is connected to an activity that is financed in whole or in part by federal loans or grants. The Hatch Act was amended through the Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012 (HAMA) to permit other state and local employees, even if they are otherwise covered by Hatch Act restrictions, to be generally free under federal law to run for partisan political office unless the employee’s salary is paid completely by federal loans or grants. HAMA was signed into law in December 2012. The most recent changes to the law are outlined in the OSC guidance on HAMA.

Who Enforces the Hatch Act?

The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is typically the entity charged with investigating Hatch Act violations. First, a Hatch Act complaint is filed at the OSC. If a Hatch Act violation is found, but not egregious enough to warrant prosecution, the OSC may issue a letter of warning to the involved employee. If the OSC charges an employee with a Hatch Act violation, the charges are filed with and adjudicated before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). In addition, after investigating an alleged Hatch Act violation, the OSC may seek disciplinary action against an employee before the MSPB. The penalties for federal government employees can include removal from federal service, reduction in grade, debarment from federal employment for a period not to exceed five years, suspension, reprimand or a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000.

Our law firm represents and defends federal employees who are faced with alleged Hatch Act violations, require Hatch Act guidance or legal defense, or are subjected to illegal political discrimination in the federal workplace. If you need assistance with an alleged Hatch Act violation, political discrimination, or other employment matter, please contact our office at (703) 668-0070 or at www.berrylegal.com to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BerryBerryPllc.


This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A 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]!

  1. Energy vampires are in all of our homes.
  2. They suck (energy), not just on Oct. 31, but year round.
  3. Easily identify and stop them (no garlic or wooden stake necessary).

Halloween is just around the corner. Do you have vampires lurking in your home?

YES! Energy vampires exist in all of our homes! Believe it or not, many electronics use energy while they are switched off or are in standby mode. They’re called “energy vampires” because they suck energy, the lifeblood of your home, year round.

The typical American home has 40 devices that are continuously sucking power. It’s only a small amount of power per house but it adds up. Some of the main energy-sucking culprits in the home are your computer printer, DVD player, laptop, coffee maker, TV, stereo system, game console, microwave oven, or cell phone charger. Many culprits have lights that continue to operate after the appliance is turned off.

Arlington County Library can help! They have Kill-A-Watt devices available for checkout. These devices show what is sucking energy at your house, how much, and what it is costing you. This is fun for kids and adults (school science experiment — hint hint).

How to stop energy vampires:

  • Unplug devices when not in use.
  • Plug your devices into a power strip and turn the strip off when not in use.
  • Buy ENERGYSTAR appliances.
  • Activate sleep mode instead of a screen saver on your computer.

Saving energy and money is a treat you can enjoy all year long. If you’re interested in achieving deeper energy savings, check out our Home Energy Rebates. You can receive up to $575 to reduce your energy use.


Weekend Wine and Beer Guide logo

Editor’s Note: This biweekly column is sponsored by Dominion Wine and Beer (107 Rowell Court, Falls Church). It is written by Garrett Cruce, a Cicerone Program Certified Beer Server.

In the mid-nineties two breweries opened across the United States from each other. One in a former mechanic shop in Utah and the other in a brew pub in Delaware. They each had a philosophy that drove them. They each developed an aesthetic that defined them. In 2016, they both underwent a facelift, a redesign of their core beer labels.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

October 21

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery started in 1995 as a brew pub in Rehoboth, Delaware. From the beginning, Sam Calagione saw his beers as intrinsically connected to food. Whether it was his use of the wine-bottle sized bottles to encourage sharing over a meal or the exploration of beers that used culinary ingredients, the brewery was establishing a consistent approach. In the 21 years since opening, Dogfish Head built a recognizable brand with the shark logo and Sam-inspired “Doggy” typeface.

The importance of the ingredients and the basic elements of Dogfish Head’s design have come together to create the new look of their core releases — their IPAs and other year-round releases. Prior to this year, Dogfish labeled its core beers with a plain label that used “Doggy” and the shark, while its ancient ales had unique labels that featured imagery that evoked the origin of the beer. Now all of the core releases, which includes some ancient ales, sport colorful labels that feature painterly illustrations of key ingredients along with brewery ID and beer name/description in playfully set “Doggy.” Off-centered, like it’s beers, is the shark logo as it breaks out of the label. Dogfish Head’s in-house department worked with Boulder, CO-based food and beverage packaging design studio, Interact, to develop the new look.

Uinta Brewing Company

October 21

Out west, in 1993 Uinta Brewing Company set up shop in the state with the fewest beer drinkers. Their first beers included three that remain in their core beers to this day: Cutthroat Pale Ale, King’s Peak Porter and Trader IPA. In 2005, Uinta created the specialty brewery called Four +, which was responsible for beers like Monkshine and Wyld. In 2011, they introduced the compass to their brand. This year, the compass at the center of their brand and their various 12 oz. releases finally came together to form a consistent Uinta-infused look.

Working with studios like Portland-based Sincerely, Truman and Nashville-based Anderson Design Group, Uinta introduced both a new logo and refined look that ties all their core releases together. Starting with a new logo that streamlines the well-known compass and mountain range mark to feature a simple east-west pointing diamond with a clean, bold typeface. The labels tie together beers like Punk’N and Monkshine — whose labels were simple and type only — with their illustration-based releases like Dubhe and Cutthroat. Prior to this redesign, the illustration-based labels used WPA-style images that evoked National Parks posters. Now all of their labels feature the colorful nature images, uniting all their beers and making them stand out on the shelf.

In this age of Instagram and Untappd, breweries’ core releases are increasingly considered passé by beer drinkers looking for the next big thing. A good redesign generates fresh buzz. A good redesign gets at the essence of a brand — the personality and the visual style. A good redesign re-introduces a brewery to beer drinkers. We all win with these two redesigns, since we get attractive packaging and delicious beer. Go ahead and judge these beers by their labels, you won’t be disappointed.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Midas Touch Ancient Ale (9% ABV)

October 21

Part of the Ancient Ales category, Midas Touch always had a unique label. An oversized golden fingerprint sat a top a solid purple label with the words “Midas Touch” in an evocative typeface that suggested Mesopotamia. Now, the purple carries forward with the gold transferring to the beer name. Rather than referring the golden touch that King Midas was said to have, Dogfish focuses on the ingredients. That, after all, is what makes this beer so unique. The illustration under the Dogfish shark logo depicts generous amounts of muscat grapes, barley and honey comb.

Midas Touch has been in the Dogfish Head line up since it first arrived in 1999. This early example of the wine hybrid beer adds mead to the mix — based on analysis of residue in vessels taken from the tomb of King Midas in Gordion, Turkey. Make no mistake about this beer — it’s not in the same vein as their much loved IPAs — this is a sweet, delicate brew with grapes, honey and malt at the fore. Let Midas Touch warm slightly out of the refrigerator and you’ll get a nose full of ice wine. If you have a taste for dessert wines, you’ll enjoy the sweet fruitiness up front. A malty finish keeps you from forgetting that this is still a beer. Despite its sweetness, I always feel that the honey takes a backseat to the grapes. Enjoy this winey beer with some cheese or a creamy alfredo.

Uinta Brewing Company Dubhe Imperial Black IPA (9.2% ABV)

October 21

Uinta’s year-round black IPA made a modest change from its previous look. Dubhe’s previous label featured a nighttime scene in a Monument Valley-like setting featuring the name swooping underneath the mountains. Now, the setting is the same, but at twilight as the smallest amount of orange light remains on the horizon. In the foreground is a red VW bus, which sits directly above the name, which is now set in a condensed sans serif typeface that appears hand drawn like the illustration above. Shining brightly in the dark sky is the official star of Utah, Dubhe, which makes up part of the big dipper.

Dubhe pours stout black with a rich, creamy head. Between the appearance and the aroma, which balances black coffee and cocoa with the cardamom sharpness of pine sap, you’d be excused for confusing it with a spiced Turkish coffee. This beer is appropriately sweet, thanks to the alcohol, but the dark roasted malt combines with the dank hops to create a richly flavored beer that evokes the spiced coffee that is hinted at in the aroma. Black IPAs are one of my favorite emerging categories and this beer is regularly a go-to for me.


800 N. Barton Street
Neighborhood: Lyon Park
Listing Price: $1,069,900
Open House: Saturday, Oct. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 23 from 2-4 p.m.

High-end turn-key 4 bedroom/ 3.5 bath home located in sought-after Lyon Park; this home has it all! No expense spared — quality and craftsmanship shows throughout the home. Located just steps to Clarendon and Courthouse Metro and one stoplight to D.C.

Enjoy this expanded and renovated bungalow with a large two-story addition and covered front-porch. Open floor plan with vaulted ceiling offers gourmet kitchen updated stainless steel appliances, granite, maple cabinetry and large kitchen island with seating for four.

The spacious master bedroom has custom built in closets and French doors leading to private deck. There’s a spa-like master bath with double vanity, frameless shower, jet-tub, and ceramic tiling. Upper level bedrooms each offer en-suites remodeled bath and plenty of closet space — and offers a bonus office with built-ins. The fully finished walk-out basement adds to the living space and offers convenient 4th bedroom/den and laundry room with storage.

Enjoy quiet, flat back yard with deck, stone patio, stone wall, custom cedar privacy fence, irrigation system and mature River Birch and Purple Leafed Red Bud trees. Gorgeous, all new landscaping in front and backyard adds tons of privacy and green space.

For more photos and 3D TOUR & 60+ photos: click http://800Barton.com . For more information please contact MEGAN FASS with the FASS Results Group and Frankly Realtors at (703) 496-4988 or [email protected].


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.”

What’s a buyer to do? This week only 47 new listings came on the market. That’s not enough supply to keep up with the buyers, who ratified 55 contracts this week in Arlington.

The level of inventory continues to drop, making it more difficult for buyers to have good choices. So what’s going on? Has Arlington become such a desirable place to live that residents here just don’t want to leave and sell their homes?

This pressure on available inventory has pushed down the average days on market to just 36, and will eventually cause prices to push up as well. What are ready, willing, and able buyers supposed to do?

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


3633 Madison Lane, Falls Church
Neighborhood: Bailey’s Crossroads
Listing Price: $515,000
Open House: October 23 from 1-4 p.m.

Are you a condominium or apartment dweller looking for more space but don’t want to give up the urban experience?

Madison Place in the Bailey’s Crossroads area of Falls Church is a townhome community located just outside of Arlington, but with unparalleled access to work and play.  Trader Joe’s, Safeway, Panera Bread, Staples, Old Navy, Best Buy and more are within one mile. The community sits within a 6-mile radius of I-395, I-66, and 7 Corners, providing access to all points north, south, east and west.

3633 Madison Lane is a modern design, three bedroom, two and a half bath, southern facing end unit townhome with large windows on three sides that flood the home with sunlight throughout the day. The home features beautiful, newly refinished hardwood floors on three levels, an open floor plan on the main level with a 2-sided fireplace that can be enjoyed from the entire main floor.

Upstairs, two large master suites each have an en suite bath, and large walk-in closet.   Windows throughout the house feature custom Plantation Shutters. The fourth level, currently configured as a Family Room, was designed to be a third bedroom with a third bath. The space can be reconfigured with a modest cost.

The street level of the home has a spacious, rear-loading two-car garage.

Additional improvements include a new porcelain tile floor in on the entry level of the home, new carpeting on the stairs and fresh paint throughout the house.

Presented by Susan Joy, Long & Foster, 4600 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207. Contact the listing agent at 703-201-6219 or [email protected].


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. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

Have you ever heard your doctor or pet’s veterinarian rattle off a list of strange words that seem to make no sense? Most of these are derived from Latin roots and serve to concisely describe what otherwise may be a wordy description.

Borborygmi  of Greek origin, indicating a rumbling of the gastrointestinal tract as the small intestine contracts to move ingesta through

Brachycephalic  Greek for “short head,” or a “smooshed”-faced skull conformation — i.e. Pugs, Boxers, Boston terriers, Shih Tzus

Coprophagia  The eating of feces, derived from Greek copros – “feces” and phagia – “to eat.” This rather icky tendency, especially in dogs, is also typically behavioral in nature, rather than due to a nutritional deficiency. Though animals such as rabbits will do this to maintain gut bacterial populations.

Crepitus  Grinding, creaking, cracking, grating, crunching or popping that occurs when moving a joint; Latin for “rattle” or “crack,” most often appreciated in arthritic joints

Cryptorchid — A condition that occurs when one (or both) testicle does not descend into the scrotal sac

Dolicephalic — Greek for “long”-faced skull conformation — i.e. Collies, Greyhounds, many other sight-hound breeds

Emesis — Vomiting, from the Greek word emein, which means “to vomit.” We often prescribe antiemetics to control or stop vomiting in our patients.

Hematemesis — Blood in the vomit

Hematochezia — Blood in the stool

Hematuria — Blood in the urine

Idiopathic — A condition with unknown cause or spontaneous origin and derived from Greek idios – “one’s own” and pathos – “suffering.” Basically, a fancy way to say “we don’t know.”

Melena — of Greek origin. The passage of black, tar-like stools indicating the presence of digested blood (happens with gastric or small intestinal ulceration & bleeding).

Ovariohysterectomy — Removal of the ovaries and uterus (commonly referred to as a spay)

Orchiectomy — Removal of the testicles (commonly referred to as a neuter or castration)

Peristalsis — Muscle contractions that propel food throughout the gastrointestinal tract

Pica — The appetite for non-nutritive substances such as dirt, hair or paper. In dogs and cats, is more often due to behavioral or primary gastrointestinal tract disease — that results in inadequate absorption of nutrients — reasons rather than an inadequate diet. Derived from the Latin name of the magpie bird, who reportedly was willing to eat nearly anything.

Polydactyl — Quite literally, “extra fingers,” typically seen in cats that will have more than the typical five digits

Stomatitis — Inflammation of the mouth; from Greek work stoma for “mouth”

Tenesmus — Straining to defecate; via Greek teinesmos, “straining,” from teinein, “stretch, strain.”

And, even though this isn’t particularly relevant to us in veterinary medicine, this one is just too fun to not mention:

Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia An “ice cream headache,” which is actually referred nerve pain at the sphenopalatine ganglion area of the brain caused by quick consumption of COLD beverages or foods


One of NVHomes’ most innovative communities, Metro Row, is now selling! Just steps from the Vienna Metro, in a rapidly growing part of Fairfax, Virginia, this recently unveiled enclave of exceptional townhomes commands a closer look at what many consider to be a dramatically different–and highly attractive–new way to live.

Location, location, location. Wherever you are headed, Metro Row puts the entire Washington DC region at your fingertips. Consider these facts: On the orange line, downtown DC is just 20 minutes away. The eclectic dining, shopping, entertainment and fitness options of the thriving Mosaic District are just a mile and a half down the road, while Tysons Corner, Old Town Fairfax and the future development at Fairfax Circle are only a few miles away. Drivers will be thrilled to discover Metro Row is just one exit off the Beltway, seconds from I-66 and just off Route 29.

The community’s commitment to cultivating evolved living doesn’t stop at its phenomenal location. Inspired by the artistic, clean lines of today’s favored urban destinations, Metro Row features elegant, cutting-edge designs from the outside in. Modern brick façades lead to expansive floorplans with a minimum of 2,200 square feet that accommodate up to four bedrooms, three and-a-half bathrooms and a 1- or 2-car garage. NVHomes’ trademark quality and craftsmanship prevail over every aspect of these stunning townhomes.

Be prepared for the rooftop terrace–it just may steal the show. This captivating space literally elevates outdoor living to a whole new level, offering a fabulous place to entertain, unwind or take in the bird’s eye views. Home prices start from $799,990.

For more information, visit www.MetroRowNV.com or call 571-748-9528.

The preceding was sponsored by and written on behalf of NVHomes.


Rental Trends banner

This biweekly sponsored column is written by the experts at Gordon James Realty, a local property management firm that specializes in residential real estate, commercial real estate and home owner associations. Please submit any questions in the comments section or via email.

When searching for an investment property, you might be faced with the decision to buy a fixer-upper or a home that’s already upgraded. It’s a common question, particularly from those making their first excursion into the income property arena. There are numerous right answers, requiring your thoughtful consideration of multiple factors before you make the leap.

Make your evaluation in light of the three most important rules of real estate:

  1. Location
  2. Location
  3. Location

Whether you buy a home to occupy or rent, a desirable location supersedes all other considerations. Sure, you might find a seemingly fabulous “deal” on a property. However, if it’s in an undesirable location, you’ll face one or both of these challenges:

  • Difficulty finding good, qualified tenants
  • Needing to charge lower rent to entice tenants

Either of these issues will potentially lower your income, cash flow and profits. Despite self-help articles and books written about getting rich with real estate, owning, maintaining and managing rental property requires hard work. Sure, you’ll enjoy tax-deferred gains while you own the property and favorable tax treatment when you sell, but profits depend on your ability to generate sufficient cash flow to make mortgage payments and pay operating expenses.

Do you really want to risk the cost of having zero rental income while you spend months finding qualified tenants? Or, being forced to lower your rent by 30 to 50 percent just to attract appropriate tenants? Investing in a desirable location can help you avoid these issues.

Fixer-Upper Differences

Real estate fixer-uppers come in a variety of flavors. Ask yourself a few critical questions to make the right decision for you.

  • How handy with home repairs are you? What can you do well and what repairs will you need licensed professionals to do?
  • Do the properties you‘re considering just need some TLC (thorough cleaning, paint, new carpet, etc.) or major system repairs (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roof, septic or sewer, etc.)?
  • What will necessary repairs or improvements cost you? Is it possible to recoup the cost of repairs with higher rental income or greater appreciation in value when you sell?

Your honest answers to these questions help you determine whether a fixer-upper or rehabilitated rental property is your best option. Further, evaluate the cost difference between buying a rehabbed home and the costs of fixer-upper “deals” plus what it will cost to fix them. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of mortgage, insurance, etc. while it sits vacant during repairs.

To help you judge if you are really getting a deal on a fixer-upper, consider the following:

  • Be sure your math works. Estimating the cost to upgrade the property versus buying a property in good shape must work in your favor, at least on paper. Add 10 to 25 percent to your estimate to avoid unwelcome and costly surprises to your budget.
  • Seriously consider houses needing minimal repairs.
  • Choose fixer-uppers only if you have the time, energy and some ability to do part of the fixing.
  • Order a full inspection from a proven, thorough home inspector.

Finally, even if you own only one rental property, consider hiring a quality property management firm in your area to save you time and headaches and give you cost control.

Source


Just Reduced banner

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.MrArlington.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. 

As a lifelong Arlingtonian, one of my favorite things about living in this area is its diversity. And when I say diversity, I’m not just talking about the beautiful cultures represented, amazing food and the different geography within our county’s confines.

Our real estate market is quite diverse as well. Just take a look at this week’s batch of “Just Reduced” properties – we have large rural estates, classic townhomes and contemporary condominiums. There is literally something for everyone in Arlington County, regardless of what type of home you are looking for and at what price.

So, keep in mind that this is only a snapshot of what our county has to offer. There is so much more to explore… and I’m ready to help you GET MORE out of your search.

As of October 17, there are 230 detached homes, 58 townhouses and 316 apartments for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 43 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.


Ask Eli banner

Question: I’m looking for a 1-bedroom condo with a den, but can’t find a site like Zillow or Realtor.com that allows me to search for it. Do you know of a site that includes den in the search?

Answer: The MRIS — a realtor database of records that feeds to all of the consumer-facing websites — includes a ton of data that doesn’t show up in consumer-facing websites, but for some crazy reason it doesn’t include a data field for dens, a very common criteria in Arlington. The only way to search for a den is to search the remarks field for the word “den” which isn’t a perfect solution and ineffective on a lot of consumer-facing sites.

Common criteria available to agents in MRIS, not on (most) consumer sites:

  • Balcony/terrace
  • Fenced yard/privacy fence
  • Number of levels/floors
  • Location and number of bedrooms and bathrooms by level/floor
  • Type of parking (garage, off-street, assigned, carport, etc)
  • Type of flooring (hardwood, carpet, laminate) by room
  • Number of fireplaces
  • Washer/dryer in unit
  • *Above grade sqft, below grade finished/unfinished sqft
  • New construction
  • Walk-in closet
  • En-suite (attached) master bathroom
  • Home type (rambler, craftsman, cape code, etc)
  • Level/floor location of apartment (1st floor, penthouse, basement, floor 6-10, etc)
  • Energy efficient features

*Every website allows you to search by square footage, but be very careful. I frequently come across listings with incorrect square footage or no square footage entered at all. Be prepared to miss some good homes if you’re filtering by square footage.

The introduction of real estate search sites like Zillow has given the consumer access to real estate information that was previously unavailable, but there are still a lot of common search criteria these sites don’t offer that an agent with MRIS access can search for. A recent example I have is a couple that needs a one level home with two master suites. Without an agent, they’d have to search through almost every single home within their budget, trying to figure out from the pictures and descriptions if they are one level and if they also have two master suites, but with MRIS, I can quickly search on their criteria, saving them a lot of time online.

Do you have any specific criteria (e.g. pet-free buildings) that you haven’t been able to search for yourself? Shoot me an email and I’ll set-up a search for you!

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 http://www.RealtyDCMetro.com.

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.


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