Author: Buzz McClain

Be Happy in Pennsylvania

1/18

School is back in session, work is heating up and vacation time is over. Or is it? We in the “DMV” are fortunate to have the “P” waiting to welcome us just to the north.

Pennsylvania is close enough for interesting day trips to historic city sites–where you can be out in the morning and back at night–and big enough for extended stays in scenic countryside that varies from picturesque lake fronts to slow rising mountains.

The scenery amid Pennsylvania’s 46,055 square miles seems to change every few miles: If you make the drive north and a little west from points in D.C. and Northern Virginia, you’ll reach the 51 miles of shoreline with Lake Erie; go east and you’ll get to the 57 miles of shore along the Delaware Estuary.

In between are opportunities to explore the Poconos and the Alleghenies, the Lehigh and Susquehanna Valleys, as well as, of course, the history, arts and cultural offerings of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Need ideas for destinations and activities? There is the handy “Happy Traveler” guide created by the Pennsylvania Tourism Board that catalogs the Keystone State’s highlights as well as some of the attractions off the beaten path (a trip along Dutch Country roads, anyone?). Download it at this address.

Meanwhile, consider some of these day trips that are an easy drive from D.C. and NoVa and start making plans for one- to three-day weekends this fall.

  • York: Explore Colonial history at the York Heritage Center.
  • Pittsburgh: Celebrate the city’s 200th birthday (born: 1816!) at the Senator John Heinz History Center.
  • Hershey: Hmmm. Let’s think. Oh, right, chocolate. Explore the candy at Hershey Chocolate World.
  • Bethlehem: Speaking of candy, did you know PEEPs were invented in Pennsylvania in 1953? Get the facts at the PEEPs Company Store.
  • Nazareth: Speaking of inventions, C.F. Martin built his innovative Martin guitars here. Visit the museum and factory here.

And we didn’t even get to Gettysburg yet.

The preceding post was sponsored by Pennsylvania tourism and written by Buzz McClain

Sedona|Slate: Stylish Rosslyn Apartments Hosting Open House This Weekend

1/15

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.

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 pounds.

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. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m which will help make the choice easy — Sedona? Or Slate?

Those new residents applying during the Open House can save up to one-and-a-half month’s free rent on all one bedroom and one bedroom with den apartments. Additionally, all floor plans are offering a $99 amenity fee this weekend only.

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.

Notch 8: Cool Digs, Hot Boot Camp, Close-in Urban Luxury

1/20

That buzz you are hearing is the energy and excitement coming from historic Potomac Yards. The brand new apartment community, Notch 8, which is named after the highest gear a diesel-electric locomotive can hit, continues to generate steam.

The residents are, even as we speak, enjoying the full array of amenities and features offered at Notch 8.

This summer, residents are benefiting from free boot camp classes with the on-site K!CK Fitness personal trainer on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

When the workout is over they can head over to the on-site Starbucks for an iced caffeine booster or to the Giant grocery store for fresh sustenance. Whatever they need is all right there… right in the building.

Plus, the over-the-top building amenities include, among other things, an extensive courtyard with swimming pool, grilling stations, hammocks, outdoor billiards and fire pit; a game room with Xbox One and PS4; a lounge with an 80-inch flat screen and entertainment kitchen; and a state-of-the-art fitness center, if they need even more of a workout after the boot camps, that is.

A few of the appointments featured inside these modern-industrial apartments are stainless steel appliances, contemporary plank flooring, pantry, kitchen island, oversized windows streaming in natural light, and a hi-tech Nest learning thermostat.

How can you get in on this action? And how can you get up to two-and-a-half months rent for free? And how can you become eligible for a $500 Giant gift card for stocking the fridge and pantry in your new apartment?

Just visit and ask.

Notch 8 is located at 2900 Main Line Blvd in Alexandria. Learn more about these brand new upscale apartments and the amazing incentives on Notch 8’s website or call 866-811-1457.

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.

The preceding was a promoted post written by Buzz McClain and sponsored by Notch 8.

Flood Damage Pro Takes Care of Immediate Emergencies to Prevent Future Complications

1/10

It is a homeowner’s nightmare: You come down the stairs in the morning to start the day with a cup of coffee only to step into a puddle of water on the kitchen floor. A puddle? In fact, it is pooling from a leak under the sink, and it is spreading.

Good morning! Now what?

“When they call us, we talk them through everything they need to do to stop the problem,” says Yael Goldshmid of Flood Damage Pro. “We give them instructions over the phone on how to turn off the main and to remove any electrical elements from the area.

“Then we promise to send a crew within 60 minutes of their call.” And that call will be answered 24/7.

Flood Damage Pro has been serving the flood emergency needs of commercial facilities and residential dwellings in Arlington for over 10 years, and by now their IICRC certified technicians have seen it all: Flooded basements, flooded kitchens, flooded bathrooms, flooded offices and more.

A water and fire damage specialist is crucial in early moments of water/fire-borne disasters as they are equipped with the technology and the knowledge to stop, repair and then begin the recovery process as fast as possible. This is important because of a secondary consequence of water damage: Mold.

“If water damage is not addressed in time, mold develops,” warns Goldshmid. “Sometimes we come to a house and the owners tells us there is a smell they can’t get rid of where the water damage was. We check and it’s mold. You can’t always see it, but it’s there.”

Luckily, Flood Damage Pro also does mold remediation to eliminate the problem.

Goldshmid says Flood Damage Pro can repair any cause of flooding inside or outside a property, “Even a leaky foundation. We can fix everything except the roof.” Roofing problems require a roofing specialist.

The team at Flood Damage Pro is licensed to restore drywall, hardwood floors, carpets and more. They don’t consider the job complete until all affected elements are restored to as good as new.

Flood Damage Pro also performs fire and smoke damage restoration. When disaster strikes, call 866-869-4167 for immediate assistance. The preceding post was sponsored by Flood Damage Pro and written by Buzz McClain.

‘USA Clean Master’ for All Your Carpet, Floor and Furniture Needs

1/11

After the winter and spring we “enjoyed” in Arlington, chances are your carpet, rugs, upholstery and wood floors took a weather beating.

If you pay attention and look closely, you will notice the colors are muted, the fabrics are stained but, worst of all, there are things deep in the fibers you can’t see but are possible menaces to your health and your family’s health.

Luckily USA Clean Master is around the corner, and has been for more than 10 years. One phone call or email to their Crystal Drive office summons the arrival of a team of licensed and certified technicians who bring the latest in deep-cleaning technology to your door.

“We are very well known in Arlington because we have been involved in the community there for so long,” says USA Clean Master commercial division manager Yael Goldshmid.

Goldshmid says just vacuuming carpets and rugs doesn’t do the job. USA Clean Master will use high-temperature steam to “basically kill everything” and loosen the dried mud and hidden grime; the steaming is followed up with high-pressure vacuuming, the likes of which your top-of-the-line vacuum cleaner can’t come close to matching. Then they dry the carpet before departing.

For high traffic areas, Goldshmid says steam or deep cleaning should be done every six months, but otherwise once a year usually suffices for the typical Arlington household.

As for those wood floors, USA Clean Master will perform a restoration process to bring the wood back to its natural gloss.

High pressure tile and grout cleaning are also on the menu of services available from USA Clean Master, as well as water extraction, air duct cleaning, marble floor polishing, pick up and delivery of area rugs and upholstery refreshing and stain removal.

Goldshmid says calling 202-558-2102 for an estimate is the easiest and fastest way to summon USA Clean Master, but for an idea of what it might cost to have your home restored to pre-winter condition, use the estimating calculator on the USA Clean Master website.

The preceding was a promoted post written by Buzz McClain and sponsored by USA Clean Master.

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

1/3

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

1/12

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

1/10

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

1/12

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

1/7

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.

View More Stories