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District Martial Arts Hosting Free Women’s Self-Defense Seminar

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The world isn’t always safe, but it helps to be prepared. That’s why District Martial Arts (2300 N. Pershing Drive) is hosting a free self-defense seminar on Friday (March 2). And this one is catered to women.

Taught by coaches with decades of experience, the two-hour session is for participants of all fitness levels. Students will learn self-defense moves derived from Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, boxing, and krav maga. Instructors for this class are Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt Scott Dance, boxing veteran Dawson St-Jure, and ex-Australian military krav maga expert Richard Dittler.

Located in the heart of Arlington, District Martial Arts caters to people who aren’t afraid to break a sweat, but don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s about cultivating a community-centered fitness experience.

And if you enjoy this seminar, or can’t make it, there’s more practice to be had. The studio offers world-class martial arts training for both competitive fighters and everyday people who are looking to learn martial arts or switch up their fitness routines. Regular classes include Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and wrestling. While each program offers a total fitness experience, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu focuses on being grounded and Muay Thai keeps you on your feet. Wrestling can be considered a mix of the two.

The women’s self-defense seminar is taking place on March 2 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Visit District Martial Art’s website to learn more about this event and other opportunities.

The preceding post was written by ARLnow.com and sponsored by District Martial Arts.

Learn How to Buy a New Construction Home – Free Seminar March 1

Alair Homebuilders and The Keri Shull Team will be sharing everything you need to know about shopping for new construction homes – absolutely free!

New construction is a totally different ballgame, and with such a high investment threshold there are some particulars you need to be privy of.

Attendees Will Learn

  • The steps involved with mainstream new construction
  • Benefits of working with a professional
  • Builder selection – custom vs. track builder
  • RPAs and restrictions
  • How to find opportunities off-market
  • Estimating your timeframe
  • Financial obligations
  • Making the transition
  • FAQ

Attendees of the New Construction Workshop will receive our exclusive guarantee: Buy any of our new construction listings and we will sell your current home for free!

Details:

The New Construction Workshop will take place on March 1 at 2513 11th St. N., Arlington, VA. The event will be held in one of our model homes with comfortable couch seating and plenty of hors devours.

  • When: Monday, March 1 at 6 p.m.
  • Where: Model Home, 2513 11th St. N. Arlington, VA
  • Cost: Free
  • Parking: Validated parking or free street parking
  • Food: Wine and cheese
  • Contact: [email protected] or call 571-969-7653
  • If snow – We will reschedule for the next available day

To Register:
Space is limited, sign up right now at homebuildingworkshop.com.

Compass Expands to Arlington

Compass, America’s first modern real estate company, is now in Arlington!

Pairing the industry’s top agents with proprietary technology, Compass offers a smarter, more seamless solution to selling or finding your home. Since opening their doors in December 2017, Compass Arlington has quickly grown their team to 20 agents, representing $280,000,000+ in sales volume over the last twelve months.

Compass Arlington is one of six offices in the D.C. Metro area, with offices also in McLean, Logan Circle, Georgetown, Capitol Hill and Chevy Chase.

“We have quickly become the #1 brokerage in Washington, D.C, and our expansion to Northern Virginia represents an opportunity to bring Compass’ best-in-class marketing, support, and technology to Northern Virginia agents and their clients,” says Marc Pina, Managing Director of Sales for Compass Arlington.

As a technology-driven real estate company, Compass has launched a powerful end-to-end platform to support the entire buying and selling workflow. They deliver an incomparable experience to both agents and their clients all in service of the Compass mission: to help everyone find their place in the world.

Founded in 2012 by Ori Allon and Robert Reffkin, Compass operates in 14 regions across the United States: New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Diego, Dallas, Miami, Orange County, The Hamptons, Santa Barbara and Montecito, and Aspen.

The 10,000 square foot Northern Virginia flagship office is located at 3001 Washington Blvd in Arlington. For more information please visit www.compass.com.

The preceding post was sponsored by Compass.

Alair Homes in Arlington: New Name, Same Values

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Arlington Construction Management is now Alair Homes Arlington. While the company’s name is new, its values remain the same.

Alair Homes Arlington specializes in residential construction for people in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Home projects range from renovating a bathroom to building an entirely new abode.

Check out the before and after photos from one recent Alair project, above.

Because of the company’s reputation in the industry, they’re able to score discounts from vendors, which they pass along to budget-conscious clients. The idea is to build better and save more.

Alair Homes Arlington also works to eliminate any unexpected surprises. Before entering an agreement, projects are fully scoped, priced and validated. Alair’s unique Client Control approach to construction – which it uses for every project — gives homeowners the certainty they deserve before their project actually ever begins.

“It was the first time in my life working with a contractor that not only everything on my written list was addressed in the proposal, but all the things that we verbally talked about were itemized and listed out as well–we were just blown away,” said homeowner Kim, in a testimonial video.

Once the project is underway, clients use an online portal to manage costs, schedule payments, make selections, and more. The portal is also a way to communicate project managers, who receive ongoing training on a weekly and monthly basis.

“There’s a quality aspect as well and that was delivered, which is a very delicate and difficult balance to do,” Kim said. “From an overall standpoint when you’re talking about wanting a project to be delivered that’s on time, on budget, and meets your quality expectations, Alair Homes does a great job and will definitely be able to meet that for you.”

Please contact me at [email protected] if interested in joining us for a home building seminar we are presenting in partnership with Keri Shull Team.

The preceding was sponsored by Alair Homes Arlington.

Free Home Buying Workshop to be Held in Rosslyn February 19

The first 3 to register and attend the class get a FREE Google Chromecast!

Attend the free Home Buyer Class hosted by Orange Line Living and learn all of our tips and get $1,500 towards your next home purchase. Plus, another $500 towards appraisal from our friends at Pure Mortgage!

How much is a down payment on a house?

A lot of people think you still need 20% to put down on a house – that is not the case. Here are a few other options:

0% down: Veterans and active duty military are eligible for no down payment. Also, most cities and states have down payment assistance programs. Virginia’s VHDA and DC’s “DC Opens Doors” programs can allow you to get a 0% down payment without being in the military.

3% to 3.5% down: Conventional or FHDA loans

5% to 15% down: There are many options for putting this amount down, typically the more you put down the better your interest rate will be.

Learn More About Home Buying Essentials at Arlington’s Free Home Buying Workshop

You will get a comprehensive explanation of the home purchasing process – there’s more to know than you’d think.

The Orange Line Living Team and Keri Shull Team will be teaching all of the acronyms and definitions you will need, what happens at each stage of your transaction, real strategies on how to negotiate a lower purchase price, the different type of loans available and much more. There will be local specialists from multiple industries in attendance, so come with questions.

Benefits of Attending

  • $1,500 credit towards your new home or towards early lease termination
  • 12-month home buy-back guarantee
  • Wine and cheese provided
  • The first 3 to attend will receive a Google Chromecast!

Space is limited, register by clicking here.

The event is hosted by best-selling author and top nationally-ranked real estate agent Dan Lesniak, author of The HyperLocal HyperFast Real Estate Agent. Dan and his team have developed a special process that has allowed them to help over one thousand local families buy or sell their home.

Details

  • When: Monday, February 19 at 6 p.m.
  • Where: Orange Line Living, 1600 Wilson Blvd, Suite 101, Arlington, VA
  • Cost: Free
  • Parking: Validated Parking or Free Street Parking
  • Food: Wine and Cheese
  • Contact: [email protected] or call 571-969-7653

Space is limited so be sure to register at arlingtonhomebuyerclass.com.

Limited Spaces Remain Available in the Kindergarten Program at St. Thomas More Cathedral School

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Families with prospective kindergarteners for the 2018-2019 school year are encouraged to apply for admission at St. Thomas More Cathedral School as the program is now nearing full capacity.

Children must be 5 years old by September 30, 2018 to register. The application form is located here: K-8 Application.

St. Thomas More Cathedral School is an authentic Catholic learning community that promotes the spiritual, moral and intellectual excellence of students in PreK through 8th grade. Recently, STM made history as the first elementary school in the world to launch a CubeSatellite and is recognized by The U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School since 2006.

Teachers at St. Thomas More differentiate instruction in the classroom by meeting with students in small groups to reach all levels of learners.

The curriculum includes The Comprehension Toolkit featuring Daily 5, Writer’s Workshop, Words Their Way, Everyday Mathematics, character education and service learning. Students attend special classes in Spanish, Physical Education, Music, Art, Library and Technology.

Opportunities for movement and socialization are woven into the day, including three recess periods. Throughout the year kindergarten students present six performances for their families, prayer partners and friends. These include We Sing America, Corn Feast Reader’s Theatre, The Nativity, Bible Plays, Manners Tea and a Kindergarten Closing Ceremony.

A sample of a typical day in kindergarten can be found here.

As an added convenience, extended care is offered both before and after school from 7 a.m. until the school day begins, and again after school until 6:15 p.m. More than 45 extracurricular choices are available including athletics, band, scouts and high interest enrichment classes.

Students come to STM from Arlington, as well as Alexandria, Fairfax County, the District of Columbia and Maryland. The diverse backgrounds and experiences of our families contribute to the welcoming spirit you will find at Saint Thomas More.

The Diocese of Arlington and the STM School and parish community are committed to making a Catholic education attainable for all who seek it. All families are encouraged to apply for tuition aid if assistance is needed and 30% of current students receive financial aid.

St. Thomas More Cathedral School is conveniently located at 105 N. Thomas St, in the center of Arlington, VA near the Pentagon, Ballston, Ft. Myer and the National Guard. Visit our website for further information regarding the admissions process. To schedule a tour call 703-528-6781 x242 or email [email protected].

Students Fall in Love with Learning at The Sycamore School in Ballston

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by Karyn Ewart, PhD., Founder & Head of School, The Sycamore School

“He used to love school,” is a common refrain I hear from parents.

Too many students are falling out of love with school after elementary school, when school transitions from hands-on learning to rote memorization, layered with a lot of homework and a culture of acceleration.

Schools are holding college preparedness workshops at the end of elementary school; middle schoolers are taking numerous high school credit courses; then, in high school, students are encouraged to take as many AP classes as possible, so that they can earn college credit.

The result of this acceleration? Students are constantly worried about how to get ahead instead of being present. How do we stop this vicious cycle of stress and help our kids learn how to learn?

Parents are afraid to ask this question. They need to understand that we can’t engineer a good life for our kids by pushing them beyond what is developmentally appropriate.

As a psychologist, I’ve seen the worry and the angst. You want your kids to discover a passion that will spark learning and lead them into adulthood, but you are afraid that if you don’t go with the flow, and buy into the system of acceleration, your kid will be left out of success later.

Imagine what would happen if your children didn’t have homework, actually enjoyed school and were able to retain what they learned.

What would happen if your children made mistakes and it wasn’t the end of the world? What if they weren’t afraid to fail? What would happen if your kids learned how to manage their time effectively and to think creatively? What would happen if you could let go, just a little, and let your child fall… and then soar?

They would fall in love with learning. Help your child rediscover their love of learning – come visit The Sycamore School; located in the heart of Arlington.

About The Sycamore School

Featuring an urban campus, the Ballston-based school is expanding to serve 5th-10th grades for the 2018-19 school year, with upper grades being added as the class ages up. The Sycamore School features:

  • Inquiry-based, self-paced learning
  • Student-centered classes
  • Hands-on experiential activities
  • Depth vs. breadth of instruction
  • Critical thinking, creative problem solving and teamwork
  • Small classes; 1:10 teacher to student ratio
  • Connecting concepts across content areas & to the real world
  • Opportunities for self-advocacy
  • Organizational & study skills
  • Weekly community activities
  • Regular mindfulness practice
  • Social & Emotional Learning folded into the curriculum
  • Movement incorporated throughout the day
  • No Homework

Elite Dental in Clarendon Focused on the Needs of Busy Patients

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In a profession based on relationships, trust and integrity are the cornerstones that Clarendon-based Elite Dental (1025 N. Fillmore Street) believe to be sacred to their practice.

That is why they are the dental office for many local dental professionals, their families and their staff. Doctors Dudley & Hartman take a lot of pride in the hundreds of Arlingtonian smiles they have improved. With the help of modern technology and excellent technique, they have differentiated themselves in how they have prevented countless root canals, extractions and implants for their patients.

Patients can expect a unique experience at Elite Dental. Focused on the needs and busy lifestyles of their patients, Elite Dental genuinely values their patients’ time while providing quality care, comprehensive services and efficient use of technology at their foundation. Elite Dental offers high-tech customer service in a warm, stress-free office setting — their many trusting and happy patients are a testament to this. Visit Elite Dental’s Yelp and Google reviews to see what others are saying.

Elite Dental is currently accepting new patients. Call 703-988-6963, or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment. Mention ARLnow and receive a free teeth-whitening kit!

Next Phase Arlington Offers High Intensity Interval Training Classes

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Last September, ARLnow introduced you to Next Phase Arlington, the newest boutique fitness studio in Courthouse. The studio opened its doors in June 2017 and since then, its community and unique monthly events have grown to represent the best fitness experience in Arlington.

Next Phase Arlington offers high intensity interval training (HIIT) classes — with a twist. Upbeat group exercise classes meet performance-driven workouts, incorporating a variety of equipment, including Pilates reformers, TRX, ropes and weights, to give you the most rewarding 50 minutes of your day. From TRX Fusion to heart-pumping HIIT Pilates and early bird Sunrise Circuits, Next Phase workouts focus on building strength, developing lean muscle and increasing endurance through dynamic movements and functional equipment.

The classes keep your muscles guessing, and the results keep you coming back for more. As if that wasn’t motivation enough to try them out, your first class is always free.

Don’t take our word for how awesome this place is — check out what loyal Next Phase member have to say:

“I found out about Next Phase classes just a couple months before my wedding and my only regret is that I didn’t start taking them sooner! I love each class and find that every instructor is always friendly and helpful. The HIIT Pilates class is my favorite as it offers a combination of exercises plus the reformer that you can’t find anywhere else,” said Next Phase member, Lauren Dehoff.

It’s challenging, but worth it. As one Next Phase member said, “Seriously — if you put in the work, Next Phase will give you the results!”

“The first 3-4 classes I took at Next Phase honestly left me thinking, ‘Can I really do this?’ The answer is a resounding ‘YES!’ The instructors are fun, motivating and they throw you a variety of equipment that will challenge every single teeny or massive muscle that you have! I saw changes in my body I had never seen in my life before! Defined abs and triceps started peeping through for the first time ever,” said student Katriona Buhler.

It’s no surprise that Next Phase gets such rave reviews. After all, their main mission is to spread happiness, believing the healthier you are, the happier you are.

Friendly, helpful instructors, each with their unique teaching style, foster a supportive sense of community seven days a week. You’re just as likely to take a class from an instructor as you are to be in a class with them — because they love the workouts and community, too!

In addition to the wide variety of group fitness classes at Next Phase, you can also find quality private and semi-private personal training and nutrition support through their in-house experts. After a free one-on-one consultation, their knowledgeable team designs a customized plan to include personal training, classes and nutrition to help you reach your goals.

Between its fun, fusion-style workouts, quality personal training and welcoming instructors, we believe Next Phase is a standout Arlington fitness studio, but we’ll let you be the final judge. After all, your first class is free!

Arlington is Next Phase’s second location. The company first started spreading happiness in Bethesda in 2014.

The preceding post was written and sponsored by Next Phase Arlington.

Here’s How Alair Homes Updated an Older Home Within a Growing Family’s Budget

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Arlington Construction Management is now Alair Homes Arlington. While the company’s name is new, its values remain the same.

Alair Homes Arlington specializes in residential construction for people in the Washington, D.C. area, with a focus on Arlington. Home projects range from renovating a bathroom to building an entirely new abode.

For projects of all sizes, Alair follows a client control model, which emphasizes convenience, customization, service and transparency for the client. That helps to eliminate any unexpected surprises. Plus, before entering an agreement, projects are fully scoped, priced and validated.

The photos above are an example of one of Alair’s recent projects. Here’s what company owner Chad Hackmann said about how he totally transformed this Arlington home:

This home started out as a typical 1940’s Arlington Cape, brick and block construction with a center hall stair, upstairs had two bedrooms and one bath under a shed dormer off the back and two small dormers off the front. Clients were looking to add room without significantly expanding the footprint of the house in order to keep the budget reasonable and preserve the large back yard for the enjoyment of the growing family.

After getting into the design it was quickly decided that so much drywall and plaster were being removed that it made sense to gut the entire floor, completely updating everything including insulation, electrical, HVAC, all windows and creating a new thermal envelope. The new dormers were made as big as possible to raise the ceiling height in those rooms as high as possible to really open up the space. This allowed for plenty of space for a new custom bunk beds in the kids room. The master bedroom addition was built on the angle to take advantage of the side yard setbacks creating as much room as possible. A custom bureau was further cantilevered into the set back in the master bedroom. The front entrance was dressed up to blend properly with the addition. All this to maximize utility but keep to a value and budget goals of the owners.

In the end we transformed a home whose second floor could barely sleep 4 to one that could easily handle 6 and in addition the owners now have actual storage on that second floor including a walk-in closet! A major transformation indeed for the typical Arlington home.

Want to see more? Come visit Alair at the Home + Remodeling Show at the Dulles Expo Center. Need tickets? Email [email protected] or call 202-409-1280 for a free ticket while supplies last.

The preceding was written by ARLnow and sponsored by Alair Homes Arlington.

Orange Line Living Hosting Home Buying Seminar in Arlington

The first 3 to register and attend the class get a FREE Google Chromecast!

Attend the free Home Buyer Class hosted by Orange Line Living and learn all of our tips and get $1,500 towards your next home purchase. Plus another $500 towards appraisal from our friends at Pure Mortgage.

Earnest Money Deposits (EMDs) Explained

Earnest money deposits or EMDs are deposits that the buyer makes at the time of ratifying a contract with sellers. It is held by a third party, usually a real estate brokerage or title company. It is a good faith testament from the buyers to the sellers that they are serious about the contract. EMDs typically range from 1 to 5 percent of the contract price based on the down payment amount.

Learn Other Home Buying Essentials at Arlington’s Free Home Buying Workshop

You will get a comprehensive explanation of the home purchasing process — there’s more to know than you’d think. The Orange Line Living Team and Keri Shull Team will be teaching all of the acronyms and definitions you will need, what happens at each stage of your transaction, real strategies on how to negotiate a lower purchase price, the different type of loans available and much more. There will be local specialists from multiple industries in attendance, so come with questions. 

Benefits of Attending

  • $1,500 credit towards your new home or towards early lease termination
  • 12-month home buy-back guarantee
  • Wine and cheese provided
  • $500 off your appraisal provided by Pure Mortgage
  • The first 3 to attend will receive a Google Chromecast

Space is limited, register by clicking here.

The event is hosted by best-selling author and top nationally-ranked real estate agent Dan Lesniak, author of The HyperLocal HyperFast Real Estate Agent. Dan and his team have developed a special process that has allowed them to help over one thousand local families buy or sell their home.

Details

Space is limited so be sure to register here or at arlingtonhomebuyerclass.com.

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