Feature

WWBG: This Weekend at Dominion Wine and Beer

By Sponsor


Editor’s Note: This biweekly column is sponsored by Dominion Wine and Beer (107 Rowell Court, Falls Church). This week’s Guide is written by Arash Tafakor of Dominion Wine and Beer.

Click here for more details

We are now serving lunch full time! Whether you’re on a limited time schedule, or enjoying a leisurely day, we offer great food, service and atmosphere. Hours are below.

Try our fantastic roasted Maple Lawn Turkey Farm sandwich. Sliced fresh and served warm between fresh Lyon Bakery multigrain bread, topped with Havarti cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats bacon and herb mayo. Fries or salad on the side.

Next week we’ll introduce a brand new lunch menu with a handful of new items! Stay tuned.

Weekend Draft Features

Tapped Thursday 11/29 at 4 p.m.: Seeing brand new ultra limited distribution to NoVa via Liquid Distro, we’re excited to tap two kegs from Deciduous Brewing Company: *pours only on both Deciduous kegs. No fills*

  • ‘Shine’ – 4.2% Berliner Weisse with lychee and blood orange
  • ‘Smiling High’ – 7.8% NE DIPA with Nelson & Waimea

Tapping anytime between Wednesday and Sunday: *crowlers available on the following*

Follow our Twitter handle @DominionWB for alerts when kegs are tapped. Download the DigitalPour mobile app to view all 36 of our rotating taps in real time!

Store/Restaurant/Bar Hours:

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

See you all soon!

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 Team Cathell, “Your Orange Line Specialists.”

Arlington’s inventory of homes actively for sale is at a near all time low of only 350 homes. This is down 20-25% from typical levels in the summer and early fall.

Only 30 sellers put their homes on the market this week, while 43 buyers ratified contracts. The pace has clearly slowed but even at this snail speed, Arlington has only two months of inventory.

While prices are increasing slightly, the number of sales is declining. This is felt nationally as well. October saw a 2.6% drop over September, and a 6.7% drop from a year ago. This is the 10th straight month of sales decline nationally.

So what’s going on? Many factors, but economists point primarily at affordability. Prices and interest rates have continued to rise, but incomes have only marginally begun to increase. Low inventory is also to blame, as well as many new home buyers, aka millennials, are carrying significant student loan debt that delays their ability to buy a home.

Fortunately, interest rates did not increase this week but held steady at about 5% with no points for a 30-yr fixed rate.

Click here 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: These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

By ARLnow.com Sponsor


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 and winner of a 2017 Arlington Chamber of Commerce Best Business Award. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

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It’s that time of year again! Time to embrace the season and ponder on the best gift for your fur-kid! This year we polled our staff and have some of their pet’s favorite things!

Frankie’s Favorite Things

Audrey Hepburn’s Favorite Things

Biscoe & Peanut’s Favorite Things

Monty’s Favorite Things

Weebles’ Favorite Things

Moana & Heihei’s Favorite Things

  • Mealworms

And some more of our favorite things to help enrich the lives of our dogs and cats who graciously share their lives and snuggles with us.

Interactive Feeding/Activity Things

Books

Giving Back

Perhaps you have everything your pet may need and want (food, love, safety and enrichment), perhaps giving a gift/donation in your pets name to a rescue organization in need will warm your heart. Below are a few of the groups we love and work with regularly:

Small Biz Focus: Shop! Learn! Explore! It’s All Arlington this Holiday Season

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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Supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses and creatives is all part of Arlington’s Creative Economy initiative. With public/private partnerships, growth of these endeavors is an important part of business sector diversity and economic sustainability.

Mark your calendars for these December Saturdays to find uniquely Arlington made items, learn from the makers and welcome in the season with a festival of lights along Lee Highway! It’s a full-on celebration of all things local and creative in Arlington.

Lee Highway Winter Festival of Lights
Saturday, December 1 from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

The Lee Highway Alliance pulls out all the stops on its inaugural Winter Festival of Lights that spans four venues along Lee Highway. Dozens of community partners have come together to celebrate this corridor of Arlington with shops, artists, entertainment and of course lots of lights.

Be on hand to try a craft at the Lee Arts Center, learn local history at the Langston-Brown Community Center, hear music and watch magic at the Lee and Harrison Plaza, and shop local at the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire House.

Save some time for a photo with Santa and sample great food all along the corridor!

Click here for more information.

Made in Arlington at Shirlington Library
Saturday, December 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year, make your shopping interactive! In its continued partnership with Arlington Public Library, Arlington Economic Development’s Made in Arlington Initiative takes pop-ups to a new level with a one-day event at Shirlington Library. Curious how baskets are woven or how jam is made? You’ll find a big new array of makers, artisans and entrepreneurs who will be on hand to demonstrate the work that is uniquely Made in Arlington.

Among the many vendors in this market you’ll find Kate Summers handmade and vintage jewelry, Jay Gerard’s knitted scarves and accessories, stained glass artist Maria Illlingworth, leather craftsman Wilfred Lopez and Persimmon Street ceramics.

Click here for more information.

For ongoing Creative Economy listings and opportunities, check here. More Creative economy stories on the blog.

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 licensed broker Aaron Seekford of Arlington Realty, Inc. GET MORE out of your real estate investment with Aaron and his team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6116 today!

Please note: While Aaron Seekford provides this information for the community, he may not be the listing agent of these homes.

Don’t be fooled by our traffic or colonial buildings. Arlington County is a top-tier green community in the U.S.

According to a recent study by Commercial Café, Arlington County ranks No. 15 among the “Top 40 Sustainably Powered U.S. Cities.” The only other U.S. city on the East Coast to come ahead of us? Our neighbors in Washington, D.C., clocking in at No. 9.

Why is this important, you ask?

Well, beyond preserving our environment, it means quite a bit for locals. Compared to other cities, there are more energy options for everyday activities. There are also a number of electric vehicle charging stations.

And, as part of Commercial Café’s assessment, there is an abundance of biking and walking commuters, meaning we have top-notch transportation networks. As icing on the cake, Arlington ranked as No. 9 in the U.S. in terms of “U.S. Cities with the Largest Share of Green Buildings.”

In a nutshell: If sustainability and the environment are important to you, then you have options in Arlington County. And when you’re ready to explore those options, our team is ready to help you GET MORE out of your transaction.

As of November 26, there are 158 detached homes, 35 townhouses and 165 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 6 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: Why Is My Neighbor Mowing My Lawn?

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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: My neighbor is mowing a portion of the lawn I thought was mine, but my neighbor claims it is his. Is this something I can prove through my title work?

Answer: Clients often ask me whether or not they should purchase a property survey, which is optional, when they buy their home. I think that in almost every case it is worth the relatively small investment (usually about $300-$400 for a standard survey).

I was recently chatting with Liz Wasserman of Universal Title, one of a small group of excellent title companies in Northern Virginia (they also serve D.C. and Maryland) and one of the few I recommend to clients, and she shared a story with me about a client who did not order a survey and ended up incorrectly assuming that a section of land was theirs.

Given how frequently I am asked about ordering surveys, I thought it was a good opportunity for Liz to share the story and provide some reasons why it’s a good idea to order a survey when you buy a home.

Take it away Liz…

A new homeowner noticed a neighbor mowing part of her front lawn. When she asked the neighbor why he was mowing her lawn, the neighbor replied the property he was mowing belonged to him, even though the line of trees separating the two houses looked as if the property belonged to the new homeowner. She called her title agent and found out the neighbor was correct. “How can that be? Didn’t you search my property?”

Unfortunately, the new homeowner did not understand the difference between a title search and a survey and failed to purchase a survey. A title search confirms ownership of property, but it does not show the details of the property location.

A survey is a map of real property that shows where the property is located on the earth, the boundary lines of the property, the improvements on the land and access to the property.

FIVE GREAT REASONS TO PURCHASE A SURVEY

  • Undisclosed Rights and Easements: You may own your new home and its surrounding land, but someone else might have a right to use a portion of your property. A survey will show physical evidence of the rights of others to use your property for access, parking, utilities, and other situations.
  • Undiscovered Encroachments: A survey may be the only way to tell if a third party holds a claim to part of your property because their improvements such as a garage, fence, or swimming pool, are on your land.
  • House Built on Incorrect Lot: It may seem impossible, but sometimes a house is built on the wrong lot. A survey provides peace of mind by showing the exact location of the house you are buying.
  • Size of the Property: A survey shows the exact dimensions of the property’s boundary lines and how much land is included within those lines.
  • Adding on in the Future: Many residential platted lots have building restrictions known as setbacks which prohibit building anything within a certain distance from the boundary lines. If you are thinking of adding on in the future, a survey will help you determine if the property is right for both your current and future plans.

Liz, thank you very much for sharing this story and providing some good reasons for ordering a survey. I’d also like to add that you can order a survey at any time if you did not do so when you purchased.

If you are in need of a survey, planning to sell or purchase a home and would like to work with a great title company, or have title questions in general I highly recommend reaching out to Liz and her team of attorneys at Universal Title.

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 www.EliResidential.com. Call me directly at (703) 539-2529.

 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.

The Chew: 7 Perfect Items for Any Dog Lover’s Holiday Wish List

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

The following bi-weekly column is written and sponsored by Bark + Boarding, which provides a heart-centered and safe environment for your pets. Conveniently located at 5818-C Seminary Road in Bailey’s Crossroads, Bark & Boarding offers doggy daycare, boarding, grooming, walking and training services, plus in-home pet care.

by Cindy Aldridge

Admit it, you care more about getting your dog the perfect holiday gift than you do about getting yourself anything nice.

That’s okay, we love our dogs. This holiday season, don’t settle for a bag of bones and a new dog bowl. Think big. Here’s how you can stock your wish list with some truly useful items to help you, as the dog owner, as well as make your pooch happier, safer and more comfortable.

A dog-monitoring camera

Most of us work and therefore cannot spend all day with our dogs, however painful that reality may be. If you have to leave your dog home alone for long periods of time or you travel a lot, you can give yourself some extra peace of mind if you know that your dog is happy and safe at home (or at the sitter’s).

One of the best ways to do this is with a dog-monitoring camera. The tech for this has really improved over the past few years, with most new doggie camera models linking directly to your smartphone for 24/7 viewing.

A GPS tracking device

In the same vein as a monitoring camera, a dog-tracking device that uses GPS and links up with your smartphone will allow you to locate your beloved canine in the horrific event that they run away, go missing or even worse — get stolen. You don’t need to implant a tracker under your dog’s skin or anything. Modern trackers can be affixed gently to your dog’s collar.

A Thundershirt

Many dogs suffer from anxiety, are quick to frighten during loud events like parties and thunderstorms, and suffer from a variety of behavioral issues. Many vets and pet experts recommend a tight-fitting shirt, branded as a Thundershirt, to help with this. There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence out there that it works, too. Many dog owners swear by them. At under $30, they are worth a spot on your holiday wish list.

A puzzle toy

Sure, plenty of dogs enjoy your classic tennis ball or frisbee. But some dogs require a little more of a mental workout. Puzzle toys are great, inexpensive items to add to your wish list. These toys are highly varied but most require dogs to use problem-solving skills to access treats or food.

A new dog bed

If someone got you a brand-new, comfortable bed for the holidays, would you be happy? You bet. Your dog will be too. Dogs spend a lot of their time sleeping, so a nice bed is crucial to their happiness. Bed sizes vary, and there are options available for both large and small breeds.

A year’s supply of dental bones

Dental bones are great ways to kill two birds with one stone – they give your dog something to eat and they help with their dental care in the process. There are dental bones out there that help remove plaque, freshen your dog’s breath, and prevent the buildup of biofilm on your dog’s teeth.

An automatic ball thrower

Ok, you’re allowed one sort-of silly item. It is the holidays after all.

Does your arm get tired throwing that tennis ball hundreds of times? Would you like to sit and read and book but also give your dog a workout? Automatic ball throwers may not seem like a worthwhile expense any other time of the year. Now’s your chance.

So, what are you waiting for? Starting building that dog-centric holiday wish list today!

Four Arlington Tech Companies Rank Among Top 500 Fastest Growing Firms

By Vernon Miles

Startup Monday header

Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow.com, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups and their founders, plus other local technology happenings. The Ground Floor, Monday’s office space for young companies in Rosslyn, is now open. The Metro-accessible space features a 5,000-square-foot common area that includes a kitchen, lounge area, collaborative meeting spaces, and a stage for formal presentations.

Several Arlington startups have made an appearance on Deloitte’s top 500 fastest growing technology companies in 2018.

The annual “Fast 500” list looks at companies developing everything from entertainment to biotech nationwide. Overall, the survey found that the fastest growing industry sector was software, accounting for 64 percent of the total tech company growth over the last year. On the list were four Arlington software companies: Distil Networks, Mobile Posse, Fonteva, and Higher Logic.

The highest on the list was Distil Networks, ranked at number 131.

Distil Networks is a bot mitigation network that scans incoming data to filter out “bad bot” traffic hiding among the human and “good bot” information streams. The aim is to protect websites from data mining, spam and fraud.

“Founded in 2011, Distil was at the forefront of the bot problem before bots were part of everyday discourse, particularly surrounding social media and election meddling,” said Tiffany Olson Kleemann, CEO of Distil Networks. “We’re the experts at protecting websites, mobile apps, and APIs from automated attacks. We’re honored to be listed among so many esteemed and innovative companies solving some of today’s most challenging security and business problems.”

Over the last year, the company saw 872 percent growth. The company is located in Ballston at 4501 N. Fairfax Drive.

The next highest was Mobile Posse Inc. at number 237. Mobile Posse develops non-intrusive advertising on mobile devices, which delivers messages to locked screens and home screens. The company works with major North American phone carriers like Verizon Wireless and AT&T.

“Our experts at Mobile Posse are dedicated to creating new and innovative solutions to put the content people love at their fingertips,” said Jon Jackson, Founder and CEO of Mobile Posse, via email. “The ‘Fast 500’ is an award that punctuates our belief that we are moving into a new era of mobile content discovery, one where innovative solutions make it simple and easy for smartphone users to thrive and win.”

Jackson said one of the biggest events for the company over the last year was the launch of Firstly Mobile, a new platform that allows advertising content to be placed on the home screen and be accessible by swiping. The new product aimed at making advertising as “frictionless” as possible.

Jackson said soon after launch, Mobile Posse topped 7 million active daily users. Overall, Deloitte said the company saw 387 percent growth over the last year. The company is located in Ballston at 1010 N. Glebe Road.

At 286th on the list is Fonteva, a company that sets up membership software for associations and organizations.

“It is an honor to be recognized among so many talented companies,” said Jerry Huskins, Fonteva CEO and co-founder, in a press release. “Our past, present and future is a testament to the passion and engagement of our employees, customers, and partners. This combination is a force to be reckoned with and has resulted in a business with products that make us incredibly proud.”

Over the last year, Fonteva saw 291 percent growth. The company is located in Ballston at 4420 N. Fairfax Drive.

Higher Logic, a cloud-based engagement platform, sits at 348 on the list. The company offers organizations new ways to set up online communities and automate marketing.

The company, located in Rosslyn at 1919 N. Lynn Street, saw 228 percent growth over the last year.

Open Houses in Arlington This Weekend

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Looking for a home? There are plenty of houses and condos open for viewing this weekend.

Check out the Arlington Realty website for a full list of homes for sale and open houses in Arlington. Here are a few highlights:

5608 33rd Street N.
7 bed/7 bath, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Keller Williams Realty
Listed: $1,950,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

2829 1st Road N.
4 bed/4 bath, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Advon Real Estate LLC.
Listed: $1,264,900
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

4018 N. Woodstock Street
4 bed/3 bath single-family home
Agent: Re/Max By Invitation
Listed: $1,015,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

1800 N. Quantico Street
6 bed/4 bath single-family home
Agent: Xrealty.net LLC
Listed: $979,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1814 24th Street S.
3 bed/2 bath, 2 half bath villa/townhouse
Agent: Compass
Listed: $839,000
Open: Saturday 2-4 p.m.

 

6916 N. Fairfax Drive #312
2 bed/2 bath, 1 half bath condo
Agent: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Listed: $495,000
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

 

1931 N. Cleveland Street #409
1 bed/1 bath condo
Agent: Keller Williams Realty
Listed: $317,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

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 Team Cathell, “Your Orange Line Specialists.”

Thanksgiving week always sees Arlington’s real estate market hit the pause button, and this week is no different. Only 20 sellers braved to list their homes this week. But 70 buyers ratified contracts, the most in several months. Amazon’s news has inspired home buyers and investors to take action.

We will continue to analyze the impact of HQ2 in the weeks ahead, but for this Thanksgiving holiday, I would like to reflect on what I am personally thankful for. And maybe it will inspire you to reflect as well…

  • My family is so awesome!!  My amazing wife, 3 kids, in-laws, brother, cousins…
  • My dog Tank who gives love and joy endlessly
  • My crazy menagerie of friends who tease and taunt and express their love a thousand ways
  • My colleagues at work who support, encourage and share laughter
  • Our clients who entrust us to handle the largest financial transactions in their lives
  • My country that provides a set of laws that aspire to treat all Americans equally
  • Our military forces that pledge their lives to protect us all from foreign harm
  • Our police, firefighters and EMT professionals who risk their lives daily to ensure our safety and health
  • Our dedicated local, state and federal governments that work diligently to provide us with the infrastructure to secure life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

We should never take anything for granted. Complacency is the enemy of prosperity. We enjoy these benefits today because Americans who came before us fought for them. I cannot thank them enough.

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

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