Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Superfine returns to the nation’s capital

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/4

The contemporary fair celebrating artists of color, female artists and LGBTQ+ artists will come back to the nation’s capital from April 7-10 for Superfine DC at 713 7th Street NW in partnership with the DMV League of Artists, the Hue2 Foundation, and Oxford Properties.

The fair will feature a private collector’s brunch, VIP vernissage, hundreds of pieces of art from 70+ artists, and will be open to thousands of attendees. With a combination of the highest quality artists and affluent art-hungry collectors, Superfine DC is paving the way for art fairs.

Superfine Art Fair was created in 2015 and over the past seven years and 14 fairs around the U.S., we’ve grown into the number one platform for independent artists and the art lovers plus collectors who support them.

Save 20% when you buy online!

Visit superfinedc2022.eventbrite.com for tickets.

Follow @superfinefair on Facebook.

Ask Eli: So, you’re not doing a home inspection?

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This regularly scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. Please submit your questions to him via email for response in future columns. Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Ask Eli, Live With Jean playlist. Enjoy!

Question: Do you have any advice to help reduce the risk of not doing a home inspection before buying a house?

Answer: The unfortunate reality of the current market (and the market of the last ~18 months) is that, in most cases, to make a competitive offer on a home, buyers are absorbing all the risks (financing, appraisal, inspection, etc). Understanding the risk/benefit trade-offs and the downside potential of these risks is critical in such a fast-paced, expensive real estate market.

Risk Management is Critical

If I had to guess, I would say that at least 75-80% of winning offers on local homes that go under contract within the first 1-2 weeks do not have a home inspection contingency, meaning they are either not doing a home inspection at all (unfortunately common) or doing a pre-offer home inspection. As with nearly every decision you make in real estate, this needs to be done with great consideration for the cost of the risk and the value of the upside to make sure it is the right decision for you on a specific property.

Part of that risk assessment is making a determination on the condition of the home — whether it has “good bones.” Having a home inspection done is the best way to reduce the risk of buying a home with condition/maintenance issues but is no guarantee that everything will be caught. If you can’t do a home inspection, seeing a home with a trusted, experienced real estate agent or somebody in the home building/improvement industry (contractor, builder, etc) is also a good way to reduce your risk.

Property condition/maintenance issues show up in a multitude of ways. Below I’ve summarized some tips on assessing a home’s condition from inspectors I work with, an article written by Stephanie Dickens of BOWA, a local design-build firm, and my personal experience.

Observe How Water Moves

Water is a home’s worst enemy and poor water management can lead to water pooling against a home and getting into the cracks of the foundation, which can lead to structural deterioration over time. A musty smelling basement is a sign of poor water management. Look at where gutters drain — I often find that they’re dropping water right next to the house instead of sending it away. Look at the grading (slope of the yard) and if water is running towards the house, look for drainage systems. Sump pumps are nice, but they should be connected to a battery back-up in case power goes out.

Good vs Bad Cracks

Cracks can be deceiving. Something as small as a crack in the drywall could be a sign of larger structural issues, but are most likely cosmetic. Straight, hairline cracks above openings or at joints, like the one pictured below to the left, are nothing to be alarmed about.

If you see jagged, diagonal cracks that are wider than 1/8″, like the one below to the right, the house may have settlement issues or insufficient framing. A pattern of uneven floors and cracking around support (e.g. lintels) in one section of a home can be a sign of a bigger issue.

Level Floors Are a Good Sign

A nice, level floor indicates good structural support. If you look up to where the ceiling and the wall meet, the corner crease should be mostly straight. If the floor looks wavy or dips down in the middle, the floor joists may be sagging and need reinforcement. Uneven floors do not necessarily indicate a problem, rather are justification for a harder look to see if there are other signs of active issues. We have plenty of well-built old homes with uneven floors around here that have been that way, without issues, for decades.

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Just Listed in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Just Listed highlights Arlington properties that just came on the market within the past week. This feature is written and sponsored by Andors Real Estate Group.

Hello, Arlington — good morning and welcome to Just Listed!

I’m in my tenth year in Arlington real estate, grew up watching my father sell Arlington real estate my entire life, and neither of us have seen anything like what we’re experiencing now!

This is truly an extraordinary dynamic of fast paced, high stress, unbalanced and exuberant frenzied activity and I’m seeing people start to get weary. Buyers get disheartened after losing out on several houses they would like to have called home, while sellers can’t get enough of it! Realtors are tired (of showing houses and then delivering bad news to their buyers), lenders are tired (of issuing pre-approval letters that go nowhere), appraisers are tired (of lenders and agents hounding them to move quicker) and it’s still early spring!

December 13, 2018 — it’s been that long since interest rates were this high! Rates are sitting at 4.67% and projected to rise farther this year. Sky-high inflation, strong consumer demand and geopolitical uncertainty are just a handful of reasons why these rates just keep going up

Rising interest rates may be starting to impact inventory — it’s somewhat indirect and I can’t only attribute it to this, but inventory is rising. Inventory starts to rise in the spring due to more homes hitting the market, and this happens each year. It’s early, but I may be seeing a trend, it’s just hard to know everything to attribute it to. I’ll keep a close eye on this and let you know what I’m seeing each week, as always!

This week in Arlington there are 20 more properties available in the county than last week, totaling 282. Sellers listed 105 homes for sale, seven more than last week.

Rate volatility may be pushing some buyers out of the market, and simultaneously encouraging others to do everything they can to get a piece of the metaphorical Arlington pie! Ratified contracts are up two more than last week, with 72 contracts in the past seven days. 35 of those were homes listed just within the past seven days.

Of the 282 homes currently available for sale, 69 are detached homes, 36 are semi-detached/townhomes, and the remaining 177 are condominiums. These properties range in price from $100,000 all the way up to $7,950,000.

Average list price for currently available homes is $822,484, and the median price is $588,950. These homes have been on the market for an average of 50 DOM (days on market) and a median of 20. Median days on market of less than three weeks is a first for me — this is absolutely incredible to think that over 50% of homes in the county sell in less than three weeks!

This week last year, there were 426 homes available for sale throughout the county. Sellers had listed 108 homes for sale and buyers ratified 96 contracts. Interest rates were just 3.18%!

PICK OF THE WEEK — 2931 S. Grant Street, Arlington, VA 22202 — $2,125,000

No detail overlooked in this stunning 2019 Craftsman home with 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths on three beautifully finished levels on a grassy, gently sloping and landscaped 9,000sf lot, fenced in the rear. An entertainer’s dream with 5000+ sq. ft. of luxury living including HGTV-worthy gourmet kitchen w/professional-grade appliances open to a vaulted-ceiling great room with gorgeous stone fireplace, and a banquet-sized dining room. Abundant fine finish carpentry and high-end details throughout. Bright walk-out lower-level with 11′ ceilings has a great room featuring a gas fireplace, a gorgeous, expansive walnut wet bar with seating, large bedroom with full bath (perfect au pair/in-law space) and plenty of storage. This home is perfect for multigenerational living. Oversized 2-car garage with extra storage over a huge workshop. Rear screened porch and deck offer skyline views.

Find me and my team here this weekend, Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. for the public open houses!

Click here to search currently available Arlington real estate. If you see a home that you’re interested in purchasing, give us a call!

Call the Andors Real Estate Group today at (703) 203-1117 to talk more about buying or selling Arlington real estate. Below are eight new listings that I think you might like to check out.

Listing of the Day: 3337 S. Stafford Street

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/5

Address: 3337 S. Stafford Street
Neighborhood: Fairlington Meadows
Listed: $609,000
Open: April 2-3, 2-4 p.m.

Stunning 2 BR/2 BA, 3-level Clarendon I townhome located in Fairlington Meadows. Just one block to the pool, tennis courts, Fairlington Park playground, and community center with popular farmer’s market on Sundays.

The airy, light-filled living room and dining room feature hardwood floors, recessed lights, and fresh neutral paint. Gourmet kitchen with pass-through, featuring all SS appliances, granite countertops plus newly refinished white cabinets. Rear door leads to a flagstone patio with wood deck — a perfect spot for relaxing or entertaining — and opens to an expansive grassy parklike setting behind.

Primary bedroom features two closets (one walk-in) plus hardwood floors. Second bedroom offers lovely treed views. Enormous attic has high-ceilings, thick flooring, new insulation and a dormer window. The opportunities are endless for transforming the attic into a 4th finished level.

Fully finished lower level features a spacious rec. room with recessed lighting, tile flooring, and a separate office/guest bedroom with an en-suite full bathroom plus laundry nook (with new LG washer and dryer). One-of-a-kind built-in bookshelf and media center designed to maximize use of the space under the stairs.

Reserved parking space at front door and ample visitor spaces. Easy access to D.C., National Landing and Pentagon via I-395; walking distance to Shirlington shops/restaurants.

Listed by:
Liz Lord
Compass Real Estate
571-331-9213
[email protected]
www.arlvahomes.com

Statutes of Liberty: Refugee protection for Ukrainians, a comparative analysis

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq., Doran Shemin, Esq., and Laura Lorenzo, Esq., practicing attorneys at The Law Office of James Montana PLLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Arlington, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact us for an appointment.

The United States and the countries of the European Union are offering differing levels of protection to Ukrainians fleeing the war.

These differences reveal deeper characteristics of the immigration bureaucracies, and the political systems that operate them, in both sides of the Atlantic. In this (mildly editorializing) explainer, we will explain the differences between the European and American approaches, and provide our assessment, as practitioners, about the workability of the U.S. approach.

As always, we welcome comments and will reply to all that we can.

Europe: Temporary Status Now, Benefits in the Interim, Adjudication Later

Every single country in the European Union that borders Ukraine currently offers free entry to Ukrainian refugees. Although the European authorities ask that Ukrainian refugees carry valid travel and vaccination documents with them, failing to bring those documents will not prevent you from entering the EU. No visa is necessary to enter.

Once a Ukrainian refugee enters an EU border state, she can move at will throughout the Union. She is eligible for an immediate grant of temporary immigration status until March 4, 2023. (This temporary protection will not prevent her from applying for permanent protection via the asylum processes of each member state.) She is eligible for social welfare assistance, medical care, education for her children and eligible to work.

This one-year temporary status will be extended to a full three years if the war continues.

United States: Temporary Status for People Already Here, Promises of Future Resettlement, No Visas, Unpredictable Behavior at the Border

The United States has taken a broadly different approach to Ukrainian refugees, characterized mainly by a preference for pre-existing law.

  • The United States announced (but has not implemented) Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainians present in the U.S. on March 1, 2022. We discussed this at length in our last Statutes of Liberty — read all about it.
  • USCIS has announced special flexibility for Ukrainians who are looking for certain immigration benefits, including (1) changing visa status, (2) expedited processing of advance parole requests, (3) easier rules for obtaining off-campus employment for Ukrainian students, (4) faster decisions on petitions and applications, including work permit applications.
  • President Biden promised to admit “up to” 100,000 refugees to the United States through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
  • CBP has begun to admit Ukrainian nationals at the US-Mexico border who are seeking asylum under slightly looser guidelines, providing exemptions from Title 42 restrictions. These applicants are being paroled into the United States, which allows them to live and work here for one year while seeking another immigration status.

What are the differences between the U.S. and European approaches?

The difference is legal formalities; the U.S. is insisting on them, and the European Union is not. That difference is a big one, and it is creating – as law always does — absurdities. For example:

  • Ukrainians applying for visitor visas to enter the United States are being turned down right, left and center, because — as a matter of legal formality — applicants for a visitor visa must prove that they intend to return home within 90 days. That legal formality doesn’t apply at the border, so, predictably, Ukrainians are showing up at the border. This is a stupid combination of policies. (Dear Uncle Sam: If you intend to admit Ukrainians tout suite, don’t make them fly to Mexico first. If you don’t intend to admit them, don’t admit them.)
  • The U.S. is working within its existing legal framework to provide protection for Ukrainians already here — even previous visa violators –– but is offering nothing but a promise of future resettlement to people who aren’t here already. That promise is probably empty, because the U.S. refugee resettlement bureaucracy can’t handle the promised flow.

It is hard to say why the United States is pursuing a formalist approach to managing refugee flows. Simple proximity is probably the most important reason; the Europeans have nearly a million refugees at their doorstep, and we don’t. But, as practitioners in this area, we think that another important limitation on the U.S. response is the unmanageability of the bureaucratic machinery.

Without Congressional action, the Biden administration can only operate within the formal structure of pre-existing law, and the immigration machinery, divided as it is between bureaucracies with differing remits and differing levels of competence, is neither nimble nor humane.

We have seen Congressional action before, in previous refugee crises, like the breakup of the Soviet Union and the collapse of the South Vietnamese government. If the U.S. is going to do its part to shelter those fleeing the conflict, Congress is going to have to get off its collective duff and pass a law.

Luxury new homes now selling in Sleepy Hollow — Falls Church’s best-kept secret

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/5

A highly-anticipated new community has entered the Northern Virginia market.

Hudson Quarter is now selling a carefully curated collection of just 18 luxury homes from a sought-after area in Sleepy Hollow.

The homes at Hudson Quarter offer a spacious retreat from the hustle and bustle of popular nearby destinations. This remarkable community has been designed with a keen eye by the Gulick Group, a local builder renowned for their unique and artistic approach to building distinctive new homes.

Homeowners at Hudson Quarter will be able to select from three exceptional single-family home designs and customize with all of their desired features and finishes. Each available homesite sits on up to a third of an acre to ensure ample privacy. Inside the homes you’ll find plenty of room to unwind, with four to five bedrooms, three to four and a half baths and 4,200 to 8,000 finished square feet. Prices start from the $1.5Ms.

Equally as impressive as the homes themselves is the premier location that the neighborhood offers. Tucked away perfectly in Sleepy Hollow, residents will find themselves in a close-knit enclave without having to sacrifice any of the regional access desired for work and recreation.

In just moments, a short drive will take you from Hudson Quarter to nearby retail and dining hubs at the Mosaic District and Downtown Falls Church. Local farmers markets, grocery stores and outdoor recreation are even closer. Homeowners will also be able to get to Washington, D.C., Tysons and more with ease via nearby commuter routes.

Interest in Hudson Quarter has been steadily growing since the community officially opened for sale. Prospective home shoppers can find additional information at HudsonQuarterInFallsChurch.com or schedule a private appointment with Iman Elagazy at [email protected] or 703-844-8440.

Small Business Focus: Lyon Park Barber Shop

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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

A hairstyle helps people look fashionable, but it is also used to self-identify. Whether short, long, curly, or straight, people have found ways to use hairstyles to represent themselves and convey their personalities.

Due to COVID-19, many people let their hair grow. They were working from home, barbershops were closed, and most had no experience in cutting hair.

Those concerns and the resulting lack of customers hit small businesses like Lyon Park Barber Shop especially hard. Owner Janeth Gonzales decided to look for resources to help her achieve a new market and gain more customers. As a result, she heard about BizLaunch and applied for one of its programs, ReLaunch. The ReLaunch program has helped businesses like Gonzales’ reach new customers, create new marketing strategies and branding, digital presence, strategic planning, create a website and more.

“BizLaunch has provided me with tools and information to develop and improve my business. Also, the constant communication and assistance they offer have helped me to be aware of more opportunities for my business,” Gonzales said.

If your business is going through the same struggles as Lyon Park Salon, ReLaunch brings you the opportunity to understand better how to operate and recreate your business structure, obtain a website and more. In addition to this, your small business will grow and reach a new target market through one-on-one counseling.

As for Lyon Park Barber Shop, BizLaunch helped increase the customer flow through marketing and promotion. Now that she has completed the ReLaunch program, Gonzales’ customer flow and digital presence have improved.

If you would like to obtain the same benefits and advantages Janeth did, visit www.BizLaunch.org and apply today.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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

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

We’re a quarter of the way through 2022, friends. Whether it’s a month into a new year, a quarter or whatever time benchmark is in your mind, it’s always good to check in on how your aspirations are going. If they involve real estate, 2022 remains hot.

Inventory continues to move at a lightning pace, equating to a stellar sellers’ market and uber-competitive buyers’ landscape. The good news for buyers: For a second week in a row, inventory has popped by more than five percent, equating to more selections to explore for you and yours.

If you pushed your real estate goals to the back burner in Q1, the team at Arlington Realty, Inc. is ready to help you get moving here in Q2. Our time-tested team assist in navigating the most complex of scenarios, particularly amid a local real estate chapter like no other. Until then, here are this week’s Just Reduced numbers.

As of March 28, there are 104 detached homes, 32 townhouses and 192 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 20 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

1103 16th Street S.

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

Ask Eli: Has your condo/POA banned smoking?

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This regularly scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. Please submit your questions to him via email for response in future columns. Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Ask Eli, Live With Jean playlist. Enjoy!

Question: Do you know if Associations in Virginia have begun banning smoking using the new law?

Answer: Last year, I wrote an article about Virginia’s new law that allows Condo and Property Owners Associations to easily ban smoking inside units/homes via a new resolution to the rules and regulation, which generally requires a simple majority vote by the Board. Prior to this, Boards could ban smoking in common areas this way, but smoking bans within units/homes required a lengthy (multiple years), costly, and resource intensive effort to get a 2/3+ vote from owners to change the by-laws.

I have heard from a couple of Condo Associations that have implemented this new law to ban smoking and I would love to hear from other readers, in the comments section or in email, who have either passed a new smoking ban resolution, are in the process of doing so, or have run into challenges trying.

Last year I spoke with attorney Michael C. Gartner (703-280-9267 or [email protected]), a Partner at Whiteford, Taylor, & Preston LLP and current President of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Washington Metro Chapter, about the new law to make sure I was clear on the implications this has for Virginia condos and POA communities.

Mr. Gartner confirmed that the new law, effective July 1, 2021, does in fact allow condo and POA Boards to ban smoking inside private residences with a simple majority vote of the Board. He also offered some helpful advice and caveats for any Boards/communities who plan to move forward with in-unit smoking bans:

  • In rare cases, some by-laws may specifically restrict a Board’s ability to make certain rule changes or require something other than a simple majority, so Boards should have an attorney review their by-laws prior to proceeding with a smoking ban
  • Smoking bans should be written as a compliant resolution through legal counsel, not as a simple motion
  • Enforcement is always a challenge for Boards (noise, trash, and other common rules always present enforcement challenges) and Boards may want to work with their legal counsel to establish compliant enforcement protocol
  • The new law includes a provision that allows owners to call a special meeting to vote and repeal a change in the smoking policy
  • Smoking ban policies might flip back-and-forth as new Boards are elected and the majority votes for a new/different smoking policy than the previous Board

Last week, I followed up with Mr. Gartner on the new law and he said that he has several clients (condo buildings) considering implementing a smoking ban and so far is not aware of any legal challenges or considerations that would change the opinions he shared last year when the bill was approved.

Please use the comments section or email me if you are in an Association who has taken advantage of this new law or is planning to!

If you’d like to discuss buying, selling, investing, or renting, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].

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

Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Ask Eli, Live With Jean playlist.

Eli Tucker is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with RLAH Real Estate, 4040 N Fairfax Dr #10C Arlington VA 22203. 703-390-9460.

Legal Insider: Virginia drops Covid workplace rules

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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.

Virginia, the first state to enact COVID-19 workplace rules in July of 2020, has now become the first state to end them.

The action was taken following a vote on March 21, 2022, by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s (DOLI) Safety and Health Codes Board (Safety Board). Under the previous standards, Virginia employers had a number of requirements with respect to COVID-19, including indoor masking in higher-risk areas and reporting COVID-19 outbreaks to the Virginia Department of Health. These standards have been rescinded.

Workplace safety is governed by both the federal Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) and state and local rules. States, like Virginia, with workplace safety agencies are required to have rules that are at least as effective as those set by OSHA.

OSHA originally attempted to enact rules regarding COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 testing, but the effort was dropped after being blocked by the Supreme Court. As a result, employers now remain subject to various state and local regulations with respect to COVID-19 issues.

New Guidance for Employers

While the prior rules are ending, new guidance is being finalized. Virginia employers still remain subject to workplace safety rules by DOLI, Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Programs (VOSH). VOSH has just proposed draft guidance for general health and safety rules concerning COVID-19 in the workplace.

The draft guidance, 5 pages in length, provides expectations for Virginia employers for handling COVID-19 employment issues, including, but not limited to:

  1. Encouraging employees with COVID-19 symptoms to stay home
  2. Assisting employees seeking to get vaccinated or in receiving booster shots
  3. Requiring employees infected with COVID-19 to stay home
  4. Providing employees masks or coverings as appropriate

There are many other items in the draft guidance, that employers and employees should review. The draft rules are still under review and the public may comment beginning March 28, 2022, until April 27, 2022.  It is likely that the draft rules will mostly remain the same as the final rules eventually issued.

Employers generally have the legal right to adopt safety and health workplace rules for employees that are more stringent than the guidance per the Code of Virginia.

Contact Us

If you are a Virginia employee in need of employment law representation, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or through our contact page to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook and Twitter.

Neighborhood Spotlight: Tour the Falls Church neighborhood

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

What makes Falls Church a Special Neighborhood in Northern Virginia?

Falls Church, called The Little City, a tight knit city with both urban and suburban appeal, was originally a Native and colonist community prior to the founding of the Falls Church in 1734.

Over time, it evolved to a township and eventually, an independent municipality in 1948. Close to D.C. and serviced by two Metro stations, multiple bus lines and close to 495 and 66, Falls Church has everything to offer for the young professional, growing family, or downsizing empty-nesters. Come take a look with me at all the great businesses you can walk to within Falls Church.

Broad Street (or Route 7) is the central backbone of Falls Church, and there are so many places to stop during the day. You can start off here, at Northside Social Falls Church, for a coffee and pastry before heading to shopping, activities and more. (Even better, you can wrap your day here too with a glass of wine!)

If it’s Saturday, then in the morning you *must* go to the Government Center, where the Farmer’s Market is situated from April to December. You can get fruits, vegetables, flowers, local honey and meat, baked goods, dairy products, and my kids’ favorite, crepes to order. When your kids need to run off some of that Saturday morning energy, walk across the Government Center grounds to the Cherry Hill Park, with playground equipment, a barn and loads of green space

If you are looking for entertainment, you can get tickets to a show at the State Theater where there’s a diverse bill of local and national acts performing most nights of the year, or head over to Creative Cauldron, where community theater and creativity come alive! If activity is more your style, one of the best things about Falls Church is the accessibility to the WO&D Trail, with major accesses on the western and eastern ends of the city. If your bike needs a tune-up, you can stop in at Bikenetic for all your cycling maintenance and purchase needs! They also host bike rides for all levels in the warmer months.

If the weather isn’t good for an outside event, you can try Bowl America or the new Scramble Indoor Play space over on East Fairfax Street. If creativity is your thing, you could hit the Clay Cafe on North Maple Street, just around the corner from Rare Bird Coffee Roasters. Create fun ceramics and memories in an afternoon there! If your kids are looking for something new to play with, you can hit Doodlehopper 4 Kids on Broad Street, or run around the corner on Washington Street to the Toy Nest, a toy library where you can play with toys not at home, having fun with your kids without distraction!

When it’s time to wind down, there are so many options! You could stop by Penzeys for some spices to make your home-cooking sing, or you can just decide to eat out at one of the city’s great restaurants, like Dogwood Tavern, Clare & Don’s Beach Shack, Thompson Italian, Solace Outpost, and more. All have delicious offerings, outdoor and indoor seating, and friendly service!

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