Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Cortona Academy Holds Final Events as Scholarship Deadline Nears

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Cortona Academy in Northern Virginia is awarding 15 full and partial scholarships for incoming, full-time 7th – 11th graders for the 2016-17 school year.

Final events for prospective students and parents are scheduled for Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14. Since 1992 Cortona Academy has offered superior, cutting-edge, stress-free education. A record-breaking 100% of our graduates to receive merit-based college scholarships of up to $110,000! The deadline for Cortona scholarship applications is May 20th. Cortona’s 7th – 12th grade private education has been called one of the most successful, stress-free learning environments on the East Coast.

Cortona Academy prides itself in fostering a student’s personal journey aimed at future success. Unlike traditional schools with inflexible deadlines, massive memorization, and lecture-oriented classes, Cortona Academy focuses on creative thought powering intellectual endeavors. By supporting the individual’s intellectual freedom (in a manner that best suits learning styles and academic needs) along with a strong background in our renowned STEM + Arts curriculum, each student becomes “Self-Made.”

Excited, happy, motivated learners is what we all want for our children. As it turns out, in the past 25 years Cortona Academy has learned that this, too, is exactly what colleges want! THIS is the power of a Cortona Academy education.

Breakfast at the Tower Club, Friday, May 13

An Informational Breakfast will be held Friday, May 13 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the elegant Tower Club at Tyson’s One, 8000 Towers Crescent Drive, Tyson’s Corner. This gourmet breakfast is a free parent event where attendees will learn about our long-standing acclaimed education, but will also enjoy the ambiance and spectacular veranda view. Bring cameras!

Family Open House at Cortona Academy, Saturday, May 14

This event is from 1 to 3 p.m. and will include lunch, a facility tour, meetings with faculty and an information session about Cortona’s full-time education and scholarships as well as Cortona’s Summer Camp, which is open for younger students, in grades 5 through 8. The program will be held at Cortona’s Northern Virginia campus at 13505 Dulles Technology Drive in Herndon, VA. Students and their families will learn about both Summer Camps as well as our curriculum and program for full-time scholarship applicants. Our labs and technology will be open to exemplify Cortona’s commitment to the development of future technologies, STEM, Arts, brilliant courses, teachers and study skills programs that are the very backbone of every each student’s motivation and future.

To RSVP for these free informational events, call 703-464-0034 or 301-215-7788 or use the online contact form. Seating limited.

Rethink Energy: Be Smart. Get Paid.

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

How to Get a Free LED from AIRE

Have you heard of the Smart Cooling Rewards Program? This Dominion Power program will pay you $40 a year to let them install an A/C cycling switch that occasionally cycles off your air-conditioning on the warmest days of summer.

Turn off my air conditioning – are you kidding? Nope, more than 2,100 homes in Arlington have already signed up!

On the few days when A/C cycling is used, the indoor temperature may increase slightly but the fan stays on to circulate already cooled air. The compressor will cycle off for no more than 4 hours per event on weekdays only between 2-6pm, when most people aren’t home. That might not seem like much, but when thousands of homes simultaneously reduce the demand for electricity, the strain on the entire electrical distribution system is reduced.

Why is this important? The highest electrical demand (called “peak load”) occurs on the hottest summer days when electricity is the most expensive and dirty to produce. The Smart Cooling Rewards program is designed to specifically manage peak load capacity. That’s a good thing.

The Smart Cooling Rewards program helps use the electrical system more efficiently. This technology is available now to Arlington residents in owner-occupied single-family homes, townhouses, and some condos.

Get all the details and sign up today: Smart Cooling Rewards

Listing of the Day: 400 S. Carlin Springs Road

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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400 S. Carlin Springs Road
Glencarlyn neighborhood
Listed: $575,000
Open: Sunday, May 8 from 1-4 p.m.

This house is a commuter’s delight, just minutes by car to Ballston, the Pentagon, D.C., and Routes 50, 66, 395. A bus stop is only one block away. You can bike to Ballston in 15 minutes.

This is a classic Cape Cod on a corner lot in Arlington’s historic Glencarlyn neighborhood. It has 3 bedrooms plus an additional large den with great roommate potential.

Three floors of finished living space with a full bathroom are on each level. The basement has a separate entrance from the outside.

With hardwood floors, a fireplace, breakfast nook, and a one-car garage with driveway off of 4th Street S. this is a must see.

Groceries? Eating out? Trader Joe’s is 5 minutes away on Leesburg Pike as are multiple restaurants. Ballston is 1.8 miles away.

Move in now. Update and expand on the 8,724 square foot lot at your leisure.

Please contact Betsy Twigg with McEnearney Associates at 703-967-4391 or [email protected] for more information.

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.”

Arlington’s real estate market set a new record for the year so far, posting both the most homes sold in a week and the freshest new inventory.

Some 82 contracts were ratified this week while 96 new listings came on the market. Of those 82 homes sold this week, 34 of them sold within seven days on the market. That pace pushed down the average days on market to the lowest mark yet this year at only 33. All this activity has also pushed up the average list price of homes sold to $666,216. So clearly the Arlington market right now is hot hot hot.

This week’s fresh inventory includes numerous single family detached homes in that high demand price range of $650,000- $950,000. There’s a big variety to choose from this week.

Mortgage rates edged downward this week by 8 basis points to rest at about 3.72% for a 30-yr fixed rate.  Last year at this time interest rates were 3.99%.

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

Healthy Paws: Anesthesia and Sedation

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

The word anesthesia tends to induce a feeling of apprehension in many of us. You may have heard or read about a pet that experienced an adverse effect with anesthesia. However, anesthesia in veterinary medicine has come a long ways in the past 10-20 years, and we’d like to address some of the questions and concerns surrounding the matter.  

Just what IS anesthesia?  

According to Merriam-Webster, anesthesia is the “loss of sensation, with or without loss of consciousness;” though most of us think of the loss of consciousness associated with general anesthesia when we think of the word anesthesia. General anesthesia refers to anesthesia of the whole body, and typically infers a loss of consciousness.  General anesthesia is often induced with injectable drugs, and maintained with inhaled gases. Local anesthesia refers to anesthesia that only affects an area of the body, and may or may not be associated with a loss of consciousness. Local anesthesia, aka a “nerve block” is given as an injection (or in some cases may be applied topically directly to the skin) directly around the area that will be subject to pain.  

Are sedation and anesthesia the same thing?

No, typically not.  Sedation refers to inducing a state where the patient is calm/relaxed and may or may not be conscious. Sedation may be used to help reduce anxiety and pain and facilitate minor procedures (such as x-rays or bandage changes, etc…) in a patient that is painful, fearful or otherwise difficult to handle.  

What are the risks of anesthesia?

In the vast majority of cases, any risks of anesthesia are more closely associated with the procedure itself or with the animal’s underlying disease, than with the drugs themselves.  Hypotension, or low blood pressure, and respiratory depression (decreased breathing) are two of the main side effects of many anesthetic protocols.  Fortunately, with diligent monitoring of the patient while under anesthesia, these side effects can be effectively minimized or controlled.  

Very rarely, an idiosyncratic or unpredictable reaction to one of the anesthesia drugs may occur.  By its very nature, this cannot be predicted or prepared for ahead of time.  Careful monitoring of the patient under anesthesia and the use of short-acting or reversible drugs may help mitigate risks associated with this.    

Less serious risks include vomiting or nausea following anesthesia, or prolonged sedation; but even these risks and side effects can often be managed with anti-nausea support and choosing a drug protocol that takes into careful consideration a patient’s health and metabolic status.  

(more…)

Bicycling Realty Group Presents: Navigating the Real Estate Jungle

Navigating the Real Estate Jungle: Everything you need to know about the home buying and selling process… plus everything else you SHOULD know!

BicycleBrought to you by Bicycling Realty Group at Arlington’s Keller Williams Realty.

DATE: Saturday, May 7

TIME: 8:30 a.m. (Registration)
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Seminar)

KW Metro Center LOGO ARLINGTON BLACKWHERE: Keller Williams Office (2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 100)

COST: Free of Charge. Wear a hat to celebrate derby day and get a complimentary staging coupon when we list your house!

COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST with a Kentucky Derby Theme.

Navigating the home buying and selling process can be intimidating, but with a little education it doesn’t have to be. Real estate professionals Natalie Roy and Jane Ramirez will walk you through the process. One of our lender partners will also be on deck to discuss the importance of obtaining a mortgage pre-approval and the various home mortgage programs options that are available. Space is limited so sign up early. We look forward to seeing you this Saturday! REGISTER HERE.

For more information on this event contact Jane Ramirez at 571-268-5606 (cell), email at [email protected] or Natalie Roy at 703-819-4915 (cell), 703-224-6000 (office) or [email protected].

Natalie Roy and Jane Ramirez

If you have a brokerage relationship with another agency, this is not intended as a solicitation. Each Keller Williams Realty office is independently owned and operated.

The preceding post was written and sponsored by Bicycling Realty Group.

Arlington County Hosting Small Business Summit Friday

Arlington Small Business Summit graphic

In honor of National Small Business Week, Arlington County is taking another step forward in its mission to educate and assist the region’s small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs by hosting Arlington’s first Small Business Summit.

The half-day summit, which is called “Open for Business” and takes place in connection with Arlington’s award-winning BizLaunch small business assistance network, will take place on Friday, May 6 at The Spectrum Theatre in Rosslyn and is designed to provide resources and information for anyone who may be considering or already own a small business venture. More than 300 people interested in small business are expected to attend.

“Fostering the growth of small, local businesses and entrepreneurs is the key to keeping local dollars here and building a successful business community,” said Arlington County Board member John Vihstadt. “The Summit will not only provide valuable hands-on information, but it will also provide the opportunity to share candid feedback with us and examine new ways to foster small business growth and sustainability.”

“Open for Business” will offer complimentary Business Express Clinics, which are one-on-one scheduled appointments with experts in areas including law, finance and business development. An InfoExpo will provide access to information about regulatory requirements, available resources, certifications and much more. There will also be a Feedback Booth, designed to provide businesses an opportunity to share their experiences and thoughts to help Arlington improve its ability to best meet the needs of the small business community.

“Every year, BizLaunch helps hundreds of small business owners with everything from securing permits and space for their business to marketing plans and employee networks,” says Tara Palacios, director of the BizLaunch program at Arlington Economic Development. “This one-stop-shopping approach with the Summit is a way for anyone thinking of starting or expanding a small business to find answers to any questions they have and learn some valuable skills and resources along the way. I can’t think of a better way to honor our businesses during Small Business Week.”

Open for Business is sponsored by the Arlington Community Federal Credit Union. Attendance for the summit is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

The preceding post was sponsored and written by Arlington Economic Development.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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.

Why buy a house in May?

Well, right here in Arlington there are literally more than 100 different reasons I can give you this week alone – there are more than 50 new listings on the market and more than 50 properties had their price reduced.

Between these figures are some great bargains for buyers in one of the most stable housing markets in the country.

Supporting our reputation as a great place for real estate, the Virginia Association of Realtors just released its Q1 2016 figures. The value of transactions, compared to this time last year is up 2.2 percent and the volume of transactions is up 15 percent.

Here’s to keeping this momentum going in Q2… and the rest of the year!

This week, as of May 1, there are 238 detached homes, 59 townhouses and 328 apartments for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 53 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: What to Expect When Buying New Construction

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Ask Eli banner

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!

Question: Are there any differences between buying new construction from a developer vs a regular (resale) purchase from a homeowner?

In additional to all of the developers knocking down old homes to build large new single family homes, there are some great condo and townhouse projects on the market like Rosslyn Key in Rosslyn, Columbia Place and Carver Place off of Columbia Pike, and Potomac Yard in Alexandria. There are a number of key differences you should be aware of when buying new construction:

Builder Contracts: Most builders use their own contracts, not the normal Northern VA Association of Realtors (NVAR) contracts. As such, the language tends to favor the developer and it’s very important to read their contract a few times, understand what you’re agreeing to, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or contest specific language you’re not comfortable with.

Higher Earnest Money Deposit (EMD): A month ago, I wrote that 2-3% EMD is appropriate, but most developers usually require additional security of 5-10% EMD which makes sense when they’re doing a custom build because they want you to be more invested in the finishes you’re choosing.

Negotiations: In a normal re-sale negotiation, each counter is delivered in writing with the signature(s) of the seller. Most developers will only make verbal/email counters, but the buyer is expected to put their (counter) offers in writing with signature(s). Once all terms are agreed to, the developer will finally sign.

Custom Design: Being able to select your own finishes and design a custom home is one of the most appealing reasons to buy new construction (note: not all projects allow for customization), but it’s a blessing and curse. For some, going to a showroom to select appliances, flooring, cabinets, and countertops is thrilling. However, builders are on a tight schedule and require selections to be made on time, so indecisive buyers can get overwhelmed by these choices and end up disliking the process. This is particularly true if there isn’t a model unit or its not modeled after your tastes.

Determining Value: In many cases, developers deliver a community that’s the first of its kind in the neighborhood. Columbia Place is a perfect example, being the first high-end condo development along Columbia Pike. Without true comps, it’s much more difficult to gauge value and the chances of the developer significantly over or under pricing a project increases. Given that uncertainty, some of the best deals can be had in new construction, especially at the beginning of the sales period. When there are fewer comps, you should negotiate more aggressively.

Brand New: Of course, buying new construction means you’re buying brand-new everything, with fully intact warranties. In addition to the manufacturer warranties on the systems (water heater, stove, etc), most developers also guarantee their work for years to come. You also have the benefit of the latest codes to maximize your home’s energy efficiency.

If you want to see some impressive new construction in Arlington, stop by Rosslyn Key’s luxury townhomes (some with elevators). They’re getting close to wrapping up their sales, but should be around for another month or so and worth a look!

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.

Rosslyn Quietly Becomes the Area’s Hotspot for Luxury Real Estate

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The proceeding post is sponsored and written by Rosslyn Key

As developers scrambled over recent years to meet the demand for luxury homes in the D.C. area they pushed projects further and further into the suburbs, losing much of the urban appeal, character and convenience that is found in the area’s epicenter. Families followed the real estate trend and moved further out in search of new construction communities, but young professionals quickly filled the area’s urban spaces. What followed this shift in demographics was a resurgence of energy and an immediate demand for a vibrant social lifestyle in what were formerly considered to be “boring” neighborhoods.

Rosslyn was one of the most notable benefactors of this urban resurgence as the neighborhood transitioned from a pass-through area of corporate buildings and lunch delis to an area rich in dining, shopping and nightlife. Most importantly Rosslyn emerged from this transition and maintained its urban character, becoming very appealing to homebuyers looking for exactly that.

A problem for home shoppers arose, however, as professionals drawn to Rosslyn’s urban feel and newfound social vibrancy were hard pressed to find newly constructed homes to purchase. Most of what was on the market were remnants of the “boring” Rosslyn, requiring buyers to consider costly upgrades following a purchase if they wanted the latest in modern luxury. Enter Rosslyn Key.

Rosslyn Key, an urban community of luxury townhomes by Madison Homes, gave buyers exactly what they wanted: new construction luxury homes with all the conveniences and urban appeal Rosslyn had to offer. Purchasing a newly constructed home within walking distance to both Georgetown and Clarendon without having to remodel or reconstruct became a mission for high-end home shoppers in this transformed neighborhood, and Rosslyn Key delivered.

The community of 4-level city townhomes offers standard features such as Thermador designer kitchens, hardwood floors, rooftop terraces, 2 car garages and even have elevators available all within 3 blocks to Rosslyn’s metro, shopping and bistros. The features and layout of these townhomes are certainly one of a kind.

Rosslyn Key scratched the itched of the luxury buyer looking for new construction. Because of everything these townhomes have to offer combined with their location in one of the D.C. Metro’s hottest neighborhoods, buyers have already snatched up 20 of the 25 available homes. Only 5 remain before Rosslyn Key is completely sold out.

Priced from $1.3 million, Rosslyn Key truly combined luxury with location to become Arlington’s hottest townhome community. Visit RosslynKey.com to view the floor plans, features and options in each of these homes. The furnished model home is open Friday – Tuesday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. or by appointment to see these amazing homes in person or call 703-665-1792 to set an appointment. Visit rosslynkey.com for more information.

Legal Insider: Why do Security Clearances Get Denied?

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Berry&Berry2

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.

The federal government uses 13 adjudicative guidelines to determine whether federal employees and contractors should be eligible for a security clearance to gain or maintain access to classified information. These guidelines include:

  • Guideline A: Allegiance to the United States
  • Guideline B: Foreign Influence
  • Guideline C: Foreign Preference
  • Guideline D: Sexual Behavior
  • Guideline E: Personal Conduct
  • Guideline F: Financial Considerations
  • Guideline G: Alcohol Consumption
  • Guideline H: Drug Involvement
  • Guideline I: Psychological Conditions
  • Guideline J: Criminal Conduct
  • Guideline K: Handling Protected Information
  • Guideline L: Outside Activities
  • Guideline M: Use of Information Technology Systems

Based on the 42 decisions issued by the Department of Defense (DoD), Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) since January 1, 2016, by far the most common reason why a security clearance is denied is based on Guideline F. Financial consideration issues usually arise when an applicant for a security clearance has too many outstanding or delinquent debts, is facing bankruptcy, has credit report problems, or has unaddressed tax liens.

The second most common reason why a security clearance is denied is based on Guideline E. Personal conduct issues can involve a broad range of misconduct, such as information regarding an individual’s prior termination, arrest, or domestic incident, lying on security clearance forms, or basically any other types of general wrongdoing, criminal, or otherwise.

The third most common reason why a security clearance is denied is based on Guideline H. Drug involvement or abuse is considered to be the illegal use of a drug or use of a legal drug in a manner that deviates from approved medical direction (e.g., overuse of prescription pain medication).

Although the 42 security clearance decisions issued by DOHA since January 1, 2016, involved 26 cases based solely on Guideline F, 16 cases were based on one or more of the following adjudicative guidelines:

  • Guideline F: Financial Considerations (34)
  • Guideline E: Personal Conduct (11)
  • Guideline H: Drug Involvement (6)
  • Guideline J: Criminal Conduct (2)
  • Guideline B: Foreign Influence (1)
  • Guideline G: Alcohol Consumption (1)

It is important to note that the reported DOHA decisions generally cover security clearance appeals from DoD contractor employees, but the decisions provide good insight into common reasons why the federal government denies security clearances.

We represent federal employees in employment and security clearance matters. If you need assistance with a federal retirement or an employment issue, 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.

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