Author: Buzz McClain

After More Than 100 Years, John C. Flood Still the Solution for Arlington Homeowners

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No one wants to ever call a plumber, electrician or heating and air conditioning technician. It means something isn’t working right, something normally reliable and usually in high-demand (water, power, comfortable climate), but at the moment it’s not doing what it’s supposed to do.

There are those among us who can get out the tool box and figure out what’s up, but most of us have, you know, other skills that don’t involve voltage testers, drain assemblies or digital HVAC multimeters.

For the rest of us, there’s John C. Flood. For more than 100 years — since 1904, to be exact — the John C. Flood company has responded to reluctant callers and fixed their problems by getting the power back on, the water running or the air conditioner conditioning the air again.

With nearly 50 trucks in the fleet and some 20,000 service calls a year, that’s a LOT of people who don’t have to suddenly figure out where the breaker box is.

Tellingly, some 75 percent of John C. Flood’s clientele is made up of repeat customers, those who had a plumbing issue first and then later called again for them to fix an electrical or HVAC problem.

Of course, the company has changed with the times over the last century, and in fact, in many cases leads the field in innovation and application of new best practices.

One adaptation is how the firm reaches millennials and new first-time homeowners who suddenly find themselves responsible for the operation and maintenance of the industrial innards of their homes. Marketing to Arlington’s most populous population has required shifting platforms.

“In the past we just needed our advertising to be out there on multiple marketing channels,” says marketing director Chris Thompson. “Now the customers are more savvy and they can control when and how they see ads. It makes it much more challenging, and with mobile marketing picking up at quantum speed, things are going to be much more interesting when it comes to reaching these new customers.”

So let’s mention the A+ Better Business Bureau rating. And the all-important, millennial-driven 100 percent positive review ratings on Modern Comment.

As a full service service company, John C. Flood handles just about everything inside the house. Their experts can talk you through your immediate problem as well as help you project future improvements, from remodeling rooms to installing “smart home” Internet devices to make everything from heating to security available by smart phone apps.

John C. Flood can be reached many ways, including by phone (703-914-1800), by email ([email protected]), by web (johncflood.com), by Twitter (@johncfloodva), Facebook and probably ESP if this isn’t enough. Those digital platforms also have a bounty of do-it-yourself information on them, so those of you with new voltage testers can make sure you’re doing it right.

By the way, there are TWO John C. Floods in the region that do the same services — long story, but they were once one company. The story is here.

The preceding was a sponsored local business profile written by Buzz McClain for ARLnow.com.

Decisions, Decisions: Sedona|Slate Open House This Weekend

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Sedona? Or Slate? It’s a mindset. It’s a lifestyle decision. It’s a double-shot of urban living in Rosslyn. Do you prefer the warm, boutique hotel-inspired vibe of Sedona or the sleek, contemporary feel of Slate? No matter which you choose, you can’t go wrong.

See for yourself the stylish choices offered at the upscale apartment community Sedona|Slate and tour the residences in person to take advantage of special Open House incentives this weekend through Monday.

Inside both towers, you’ll encounter apartments in carefully considered layouts and sophisticated interior design. Top of the line finishes include sleek plank flooring, stainless steel appliances, large kitchen islands, front-loading washers and dryers, state of the art electronic key system, and a selection of three designer finish packages.

Many residences feature both floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies offering views of the skyline.

This upscale community offers amenities in each tower with two rooftop lounges, two swimming pools, and two KICK fitness centers with personal trainer and group classes offered. There is ample outdoor space with a courtyard featuring outdoor seating and grilling stations. In addition, Sedona|Slate is also pet-friendly and welcomes large dogs up to 100 lbs.

With an eye towards green living, there is an electric vehicle charging station, preferred parking for hybrids, plentiful bicycle storage, and residents enjoy the fresh air benefits of living in a smoke-free community. Sedona|Slate is proud to be the first LEED-NC Gold certified residential building in Northern Virginia.

The benefits of living in Rosslyn include easy access to three Metro lines (Orange, Blue and Silver), being steps away from all the vibrant restaurant and retail offerings of this North Arlington neighborhood, and a quick walk over the Key Bridge to Georgetown’s nightlife.

The Open House hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. and special extended hours on Monday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. which affords visitors to see for themselves the community amenities in action on a workday. Which will help make the choice easy–Sedona? Or Slate?

Those new residents applying during the Open House can save up to 1.5 months free rent in addition to receiving an Amazon Echo Bluetooth speaker when they move in.

Sedona|Slate’s leasing office is located at 1510 Clarendon Boulevard. To learn more about this inspired choice for modern living, view the website at Sedona-Slate.com or call 866-977-0468.

The preceding promoted post was sponsored by Sedona|Slate and written by ARLnow.com.

TripUsaFrance: Making Europe Easily Accessible and Affordable

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For many, a vacation to the South of France is a considerable expense and represents one of the biggest investments of time and money spent for the year. There is trepidation, particularly for first-time travelers, as they worry if they are doing the right thing.

Arlington-based TripUsaFrance is on hand to break down that barrier by making the entire experience–from booking to embarking to coming home–as frictionless as possible. Because this isn’t their first trip.

Customized tours with TripUsaFrance to the less-touristy, authentically French region of Southern France are kept small so that the travelers have flexibility in their movements (no tourist traps!) and wind up getting to know each other as they experience the enrichment of traveling through such a historic and beautiful country.

The family-owned firm is operated by Julia Girard-Gervois, who is also your tour guide. A native of Montpellier, Julia takes the responsibility for getting you from the Montpellier airport or train station to your hotel which will be your home base for her carefully crafted tour for a unique experience of French culture. She’ll take you to restaurants familiar to her, show you landmarks that she knows well: Medieval cities, ancient castles and chateaux, canals, wineries, beaches and markets–an insider’s trip where history meets today.

“We do the planning for you to make your trip as authentically French as possible,” Julia says. “Once you get to Montpellier by plane or train, we take it from there.” Inclusive pricing provides you with three meals and snacks, local transportation and accommodations, admission to wine tastings and other activities.

Tours are available for adults over 18 as well as a family option, but no matter which type you go on, your tour will have no more than 12 travelers.

And along the way the former French teacher Julia will help you learn un peu la langue française. Which will make your next trip to France all the more enjoyable.

The preceding post was written by ARLnow.com on behalf of our sponsor, TripUsaFrance.

Notch 8 in Alexandria Offering Up to $6,000 in Groceries for New Applicants

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Let’s say you’ve landed an apartment at Alexandria’s hottest property, Notch 8, the brand new six-story, upscale building located in Potomac Yards. Let’s say you breeze home from work on the nearby Metro and are ready to make dinner, but you find you are lacking an important ingredient: Groceries.

What do you put into those hardwood cabinets in the pantry, or set out on the kitchen islands, or steam, roast or grill in the new stainless steel stoves and ovens?

Well, the good news is, besides living in an apartment with plank flooring, oversized windows streaming in natural light and having the climate controlled by a high-tech Nest “learning” thermostat, you live atop — quite literally — a Giant Food grocery store.

Handy! But wait, as they say: There’s more.

What if the groceries were free?

Despite the building being two-thirds occupied, the management is holding an enticing sweepstakes for first-time applicants with approved applications that rewards the winner with free groceries for a year. That’s an up-to-$6,000 value.

Sign up now until May 1.

What could you do with 24 Giant Food gift cards each worth $250.00, good for the Giant Food downstairs?

Oh, let’s just think.

You could host at least one or two parties on the swimming pool deck (grills provided). You could provide beverages and snacks for a number of sit-and-chat sessions by the fire pit near the outdoor billiards tables. You could spring for popcorn on the monthly movie night, but management has that covered.

Or you might just want to keep the up-to-$6,000 to yourself, fill those designer pantries with premium goodies and enjoy life full stop at Notch 8.

Notch 8 is convenient to Route 1 and I-395, offering direct access to the District. The underground garage has EV charging stations and a Zipcar right next door.

Plus, there is a dedicated Metroway bus running every six minutes during rush hour to both the Crystal City and Braddock Road Metro stations on the Blue and Yellow lines.

Notch 8 is located at 2900 Main Line Blvd in Alexandria. Learn more about this free groceries sweepstakes on Notch 8’s website or call 866-811-1457.

The preceding was a promoted post written by ARLnow.com and sponsored by Notch 8.

Fillmore Pizza: More Than Just the Usual Pizza and Delivery

Fillmore PizzaFillmore Pizza is available for walk-in or delivery from 11 to 11 daily, and until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Locations are at 923 S. Walter Reed Dr. (call 703-920-9110) and 5175 Lee Highway (call 703-532-9110). Fillmore Pizza is also happy to cater any occasion; call for details.

Arlington is stuffed with pizza. It’s our go-to, default, twice-to-three times a week weakness. Because it’s easy, it’s a known quantity and we kind of like it.

But not all pizza is created equally. In fact, some is created superiorly, and that would mean Fillmore Pizza. Fresh dough every day. Fresh tomato sauce. Fresh vegetables and meat toppings.

But Fillmore Pizza is not just pizza. Tuscan hummus, stuffed grape leaves, spinach dip, kalamata olives and warm pita triangles are the starters of a menu that cruises the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. An endless variation of calzone combinations dazzle the hungry diner with spinach & artichoke, chicken portabella, meatball and classic Italian cheese and meat. (And don’t forget the chicken wings, flavored to your taste.)

In the mood for something substantial? Cheese manicotti, heavenly layered lasagna, chicken alfredo, classic spaghetti and meat sauce and assorted raviolis await. Oh, and baked meatballs. Talk about substantial.

As for sandwiches, fresh and light are the keys, with the Napoli offering fresh mozzarella, basil and tomatoes in a light olive oil sauce; roasted eggplant brings together a garden full of savory flavors and the Milano adds a mixture of classic Italian meats–prosciutto, genoa salami and ham–to the concoction. Of course there are steak, chicken, turkey, meatball and gyro in the sandwich mix. There’s even a grilled cheese, but not your usual; this one is mozzarella and provolone with fresh tomatoes.

The dessert offerings continue the Mediterranean theme, with cannoli and tiramisu side by side with cheesecake and classic chocolate cake.

The preceding was a sponsored local business profile written by Buzz McClain for ARLnow.com.

Clarendon Fitness: Changing Lives, Transforming Bodies, Improving Well-Being

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Clarendon Fitness
2907 Wilson Blvd
Tel: (703) 465-0101
Email: [email protected]

Chances are, as you walk or drive down Wilson Boulevard, you had no idea bodies and lives are being transformed under Boulevard Woodgrill and British Goodies.

But they are. One flight down in the rear of the busy city corner is a 1,200-square-foot gymnasium where men and women work up a sweat under the watchful eyes of certified, motivated trainers whose own goals are to help their clients achieve their goals.

Clarendon Fitness, with its emphasis on old-school equipment, custom-designed programs and up-to-the-minute modern fitness concepts, is far from any “lunk zone” or national chain gym full of aerobic machines and indifferent personnel more interested in your paid-up membership status than your personal achievements.

Founder and owner and head trainer Pascal Laporte, who opened his first gym in 2007, describes the atmosphere and attitude of the gym as friendly and fun, “but we take fitness seriously. We watch every movement the client makes, and that’s what separates us from a big-box facility.”

Clients are matched with a personal trainer who specializes in the client’s particular targeted achievements. “We have a multi-trainer system that allows people to progress quickly to their goals with a specialist,” Laporte said. “If we start you off with a fat-loss program, you might eventually move to a corrective exercise program and then you might be inspired enough to train for a marathon. You’ll work with a different trainer during each phase of your success, someone who already knows who you are and understands you through collaboration with the other trainers.”

New clients to personal training might not know a dumb bell from a kettle bell, and the intimidation factor can prevent them from beginning a life-changing transformation. Laporte’s staff is trained to educate clients and they thoroughly explain not just how to do the exercises but also why they are doing them. This education goes beyond teaching how to do dead lifts and squats: They also provide advice on nutrition, recovery, stamina and other aspects of overall health and well-being.

And those who are already well versed in fitness, powerlifting or competitive sports will find Clarendon Fitness’ programming useful in sharpening their skills and reaching a higher level of performance.

To arrange for an initial consultation and evaluation, contact Clarendon Fitness at 2907 Wilson Boulevard at [email protected] or call 703-465-0101.

The preceding was a sponsored local business profile written by Buzz McClain for ARLnow.com.

Where to Go Tonight? New ‘Mobile Concierge’ Ouli Gives 3 Choices, Learns Your Likes

Ouli screen shotA long-time Arlington technology firm has a new solution for those times when you can’t decide where to have dinner — or get your nails done or have a prescription refilled or find unique gifts, among other activities that require decisiveness.

Ouli is a free app that helps narrow your selection to three nearby, viable choices that become more refined to your needs and tastes the more you use it.

“Ouli is a mobile concierge in the palm of your hand,” said Pierre Malko, CEO of Dante Inc., the Arlington-based software company that’s been building technological innovation since 1998. “It reduces the time spent to have a great experience.”

Malko got the idea for Ouli after being frustrated by the limitations of existing consumer-feedback based services. “You may find good reviews and have everyone agree on trying a restaurant, for example, but you’ve wasted your time because it’s booked or not available, and in the end you are disappointed,” he said. “The search function doesn’t know what your intent is — an anniversary, a birthday, happy hour? They are devoid of context as to what you want to do.”

With Ouli, released in January, you quickly fill in a checklist of when, where and what it is you want to do — and why. The why is a key factor in the Ouli difference.

Ouli screen shot“It learns the more you use it,” said Malko. “It brings context. And it only returns things that are available so there is no disappointment.”

And when you make your choice, in the future, Ouli will book it for you.

When a customer accepts an Ouli offer, at that point the merchant is charged a small fee, which is why local merchants are eager to sign on. Ouli increases foot traffic and automates customer engagement for the merchant.

At the moment Ouli has some 100 Arlington merchants in the database (expansion to other regions, as well as even more functionality, will come in the near future.)

In addition, Ouli has a handy option that uses your location to offer reduced prices and specials to users as they walk by a member merchant.

Wait. What?

“Ouli has two ways of engagement,” Malko said. In addition to “learning” your wants and needs with your data input, Ouli also takes initiative to inform you of deals at favored merchants when you least expect it.

“When you walk by establishments of interest to you, you may be notified of special deals. But the notifications are made only if they are pertinent to you — you are not bombarded with notifications that may not be of use.”

Ouli can be downloaded here for immediate use.

This is a sponsored business profile written for ARLnow.com by Buzz McClain.

Profile: Arlington’s Newest Orthodontist Makes Braces Fun

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Virginia Center for Orthodontics
1600 Wilson Blvd, Ste. 810
Tel: 703-774-3070
Email: [email protected]

Rarely have the words “orthodontist” and “fun” been used side by side, but the newest orthodontist in Arlington specializes in more than just fixing smiles, she creates them.

Which explains the monkeys in the office suite.

“We have a really fun atmosphere,” said Dr. Crissy Markova from her office at Virginia Center for Orthodontics at 1600 Wilson Blvd., near both Courthouse and Rosslyn Metro stations. “Our patients travel to us from all over the United States and the world–they’re always coming and going–so we give them our office mascot, a stuffed monkey named Bob, that they can take to travel with them.”

Don’t think the monkeys are just to keep kids smiling: Grownup patients getting Invisalign have been known to adopt them as well.

You would think monkeys and lively music in the waiting room would be enough to set a business apart, but Dr. Markova, who opened the practice just last June, said “the biggest differentiating factor from other practices is that we are really convenient. We’re here up until 7 o’clock at night to be really accommodating. When a practice closes at 4:30 or 5, you have to take off work or school, and we want to help avoid that.”

After completing her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Markova, a Michigan native, relocated to Northern Virginia when she was a resident at Washington Hospital Center and, as a resident team leader, at Children’s National Medical Center Cleft Lip and Palate Craniofacial Clinic.

“I discovered I really loved the area,” she said, and that’s when she decided to hang her shingle in Arlington, with high-rise views of the city and Georgetown across the river. It took a year-and-a-half to build a state-of-the-art the office from the ground up–“with all the bells and whistles,” she said. “There is nothing in the field of orthodontics that we don’t have in the office.”

Her favorite new gadget, if you can even call something this high-tech a gadget, is a 3D scanner that eliminates the need to make uncomfortable impressions or molds of teeth. “We can do 3D modeling of anybody’s teeth,” she said. “And I get to geek out on the 3D scanner.” And this comes from someone who owns two patents for orthodontic bracket designs.

Besides stuffed monkeys and cutting-edge technology, Markova prides her practice on community involvement. “It’s a really big focus for us,” she said. The Arlington Soccer Association, Discovery Elementary, Gunston Career Day, Girls on the Run, and Arlington Little League are some of the events and organizations she’s supported.

The practice accommodates an expanded list of insurance carriers as well as a zero-percent financing plan for braces and Invisalign. Find Dr. Crissy Markova’s Virginia Center for Orthodontics on Facebook, on the web or by calling 703-774-3070.

The preceding was a sponsored local business profile written by Buzz McClain for ARLnow.com.

Reagan National Airport Calm Before Potentially Historic Storm

By Buzz McClain
1/3

It’s the calm before the storm.

Reagan National Airport was surprisingly empty of departing and arriving passengers before lunchtime today, where several airlines have already cancelled flights ahead of the impending snowstorm.

TSA security lines were short, and passengers moved through in unusually quick fashion.

But the tranquility was temporary, according a friendly TSA officer on break who declined to be identified. “We’re about to get slammed,” he said. “Come back around [3 p.m.] and see the difference.”

Beginning Feb. 1, Building Permit Applications Are Online Only

By Buzz McClain

File photo of permits for a Pinkberry store in Clarendon

(Updated 12:24 p.m.) After several months of testing, Arlington County’s new ePlan Review process for submitting building permit and land disturbance applications will go online February 1. No paper submissions will be accepted after that, saving builders a trip to the Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development’s Courthouse headquarters–except to pay the fees.

The change speeds up the application process for residential and new construction, additions and renovations by about 25 percent, said CHPD director Steve Cover. Electronic processing allows copies of plans to be sent electronically to the various divisions involved in approving permits, eliminating time-consuming hand-delivery of paper copies.

“We’ve had about 12 volunteers help test it and work out the kinks,” Cover said. “And according to my staff, all systems are go for February 1.”

The ePlan Review is one of the first improvements for doing business in Arlington in the on-going One Stop Arlington program, Cover said. As other streamlining elements of the program are added, the time it takes to approve or deny a permit will continue to speed up.

But for now, applicants for building permits still will have to pay fees in person. To make payment online feasible, Cover said, “is a significant change. But probably by the end of 2017 it will be fully operational.”

File Photo

Arlington Area Braces for Possibly Historic Blizzard

By Buzz McClain

Winter storm Jonas hasn’t even made it to Arlington and panic has already set in. Store shelves are dwindling. Virginia is in a state of emergency. Metrotrail this afternoon announced it would suspend service across the entire system starting tomorrow night at 11 p.m. and remain closed all day Saturday and Sunday.

But all this panic is likely for good reason: More than 100 traffic accidents took place in the region during Wednesday’s pre-storm flurries (Arlington apologized for the road conditions). We shudder to think what’s going to happen should Jonas begin dropping the reported up-to-20-inches of flakes on us Friday afternoon.

Multiple county agencies have mobilized in an effort to keep things as civilized as possible. In Arlington, there are more than 100 county drivers working 12-hour shifts, driving 47 county trucks with another 30 or so on contract standing by.

The 9,000 tons of salt ready to be spread on roads is 1,000 tons more than last year, and there’s also 200 tons of sand at the ready. Still, most government agencies in the area are repeating the same message: Do not leave home.

We’ve put together a few resources you should know about how to cope with snow in Arlington.

  • Here’s the snow removal hotline: 703-228-6485. Or instead, use this form to report an issue. On the other hand, maybe they’re on the way; use the number to call for service updates.
  • Ever wonder why three days into a “weather event” your street hasn’t been plowed? You might not like the answer, but here it is.
  • So you got to the end of the street but slid sideways into a snow bank? And then when you came back the car was gone? Oh, no, you got towed. You’re going to want to call this number: 703-558-2222. Maybe you should have checked if Metro is running.
  • Did you lose your power too? Here’s where to report it with Dominion Virginia Power or to find out why it’s still out.
  • Here’s a list of closings and delays at county agencies. They can’t get to work either.
  • If you can get the door open and step outside, there are nine miles of trails the Parks & Rec gang are keeping plowed for your hiking pleasure. Snow shoes optional.
  • This winter the county is experimenting with plowing tracks into protected bicycle lanes. If you ride your bike in the snow, make sure you know what you are doing.
  • Remember, you need to shovel that snow in front of your house, no matter how deep it is. It’s the law.
  • In addition, Arlington Fire would like you to “adopt a hydrant”; so does your dog.
  • Out of bread, milk and toilet paper already? You should have prepared better by reading this first.
  • If you can get out of the house, head to one of three Arlington parks–Virginia Highlands, Mosaic Park and Bluemont Park–to watch front-end loaders pile snow into a massive snow melting machine. Beats watching another episode of “Sponge Bob.”
  • Here’s a bunch of important county emergency phone numbers in a single pdf.
  • And please, check on your elderly and handicapped neighbors. We’re all in this together.
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