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Ten Things to Do Within Walking Distance of the Crystal Square Apartments

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Want to live an active, car-optional life? Consider one of Arlington’s most walkable, most accessible and most amenity-filled neighborhoods: Crystal City.

Yes, Crystal City, the Rodney Dangerfield of the D.C. area.

And if you’re going to live there, consider one of the Crystal City’s best apartment values: the recently-renovated Crystal Square Apartments.

Just a half-block from the Crystal City Metro station, the building features spacious apartments, dark hardwood flooring, kitchens with maple or cherry cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, in-unit washers and dryers and new fixtures and lighting. Plus there are amenities like a large swimming pool, a brand new rooftop gym and cardio studio, a rooftop terrance with views of the D.C. monuments, a gaming and billiards room and, coming soon, a dog park.

While you’re living at Crystal Square, here are ten interesting outings within a half mile walk from your apartment.

  1. Beach volleyball. Situated right near 23rd Street, these pristine courts feature pickup games that begin after work hours. Which is for the best, because then the sand cools down between your toes.
  2. Watch planes, trains and soccer games. Maybe you have kids, maybe you’re a kid at heart — either way, you can watch planes and trains go by up close at Long Bridge Park. The soccer field there is also state of the art and hosts local leagues, colleges and occasionally D.C. United, too. Plus, you can see the monuments across the river.
  3. Try hot yoga. Ready to achieve something new in your workouts? At  Mind Your Body Oasis, static poses challenge you and the heat feels like a detox. And honestly, if can make it through an Arlington summer, these classes should be no sweat (Still, bring along some water).
  4. Cheer on your teams. Whether you just got to Arlington and still cheering your home team or you’re a diehard fan of local teams, Buffalo Wild Wings and the Crystal City Sports Pub are great places to catch all the sports you want, from the NFL to college basketball, extreme sports or an MMA fight.
  5. Sip some bubble tea. There are two kinds of people in the world, those who love bubble tea and those who haven’t tried it yet. Get your boba on with fruity smoothie flavors or traditional milky tea. Yelpers say Lily Bubble Tea and Smoothie is best accessed by foot, which works for you– it’s only a three minute walk.
  6. Take a ride. Whether you have your own racing bike, a casual cruiser or you take Capital Bikeshare, you’ll be right next to the heart of the region’s trail network. Bike to work in the city, head over to Rosslyn or take the  Mt. Vernon Trail down to see George Washington’s humble abode.
  7. Find a nautical treasure. If you’re looking for unique nautical gifts — and who isn’t? — check out Ship’s Hatch, a store that appeals to those who love being on the water, or know someone retiring from the military. This store will embroider hats with the name of any ship that has ever sailed if you know what you’re looking for, or if you’re just browsing, it may surprise you with a hidden gem.
  8. Make something cool. Ditch your dinky 3-D printer and upgrade to industrial scale, because TechShop is in town. It’s a design and fabrication studio “on a mission to democratize tools of innovation.” Once you buy a membership, the doors are open to you 24/7. And if you’re not already an expert, they also hold lots of classes.
  9. Eat some good stuff. Serving milkshakes, burgers and fries that taste like the ingredients just came from the farm next door, chef Spike Mendelsohn’s Good Stuff Eatery has food you can feel good about. The company also aims to recycle everything they can, even the restaurant itself is made from recycled materials. Chef Spike’s We , The Pizza is next door, if you want a quick slice or a homemade soda.
  10. Catch a unique performance. Even if you’ve seen a play, you may have never seen a play like this. Synetic Theater is famous for its wordless Shakespeare productions and it also does a variety of other types of shows, all with physical acting and no speaking.

Ready to move in? Contact the Crystal Square Apartments today to schedule a visit.

Whether you head to the Crystal City Shops under your feet, take a walk or a bike ride, or attend one of the neighborhood’s well-known seasonal events, there is something to do in Crystal City every day of the year. But if you decide instead to kick back on your balcony or by the pool, we won’t judge.

The preceding article was written by ARLnow.com for our sponsor, the Crystal Square Apartments

Sea Change in Credit Card Liability Coming for Small Business

Alex ChamandyThe following post is written and sponsored by Alexander G. Chamandy of Envescent, LLC, the IT services provider to ARLnow.com.

New requirements for vendors that process credit cards will cause a significant shift in liability for certain types of fraud. But many small business owners are not ready for this important change in payment processing.
 

What is EMV chip-and-sign and how does it work?

EMV technology embeds a microprocessor chip in the credit card — this provides a more secure authentication mechanism that accomplishes two milestones:

  1. verify the credit card’s physical presence at the point of sale;
  2. transmit unique data for each credit card transaction.An EMV chip (illustration).

EMV chip-and-sign reduces the amount of account information compromised from insecure credit card terminals.  It also prevents a malicious party from easily stealing customers’ card swipe data to create counterfeit copies.

The EMV chip is visible on most newer cards as a small gold-colored square (see the above right graphic).  The primary goal of EMV chip technology is to reduce fraud and improve credit card security.  EMV is an industry acronym that stands for Europay, MasterCard and Visa.

How are these new requirements changing liability?

Merchants that fail to adopt EMV chip-and-sign technology may be liable for counterfeit, lost and stolen credit card transactions at their location. Merchants who do adopt the new technology should continue to enjoy the same level of fraud protection as they have previously. The new requirements specifically designate the party without EMV capabilities to be liable for losses related to credit card fraud at their location.

Most credit card companies have already issued EMV-enabled cards, and many merchant processors have enabled their EMV credit card processing systems.  That leaves the changes necessary to avoid potential losses from credit card fraud in the hands of business owners.

When is the deadline to convert to this technology?

October 1, 2015 will be when the credit card payment processing liability shift will occur in the United States for most businesses. Merchants processing credit cards at their location must have EMV chip-and-sign readers setup at all point of sale devices to ensure compliance.

How can I prepare my business for these new requirements?

Contact your credit card payment processing service and ask:

  • how the new requirements effect your account;
  • when the changes will take effect for your account (if not October 1st); and
  • what steps your business needs to take to prepare.

Payment processing hardware may need to be upgraded, in some cases payment processing software may also need to be upgraded.

Online sales and manual entry of credit card account information will not be affected by these new requirements.

About the author

Alexander G. Chamandy is a seasoned IT professional with 20 years of industry experience and a lifelong Arlington resident.  He has deep expertise helping small businesses with a number of IT issues, including cybersecurity, data recovery, networking, deploying and maintaining servers as well as open source software.

If your small business needs IT support or consulting, contact Envescent, LLC.  Envescent has helped over 15,000 clients in the Washington, DC area and beyond since 1999.

The views and opinions expressed in the column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

High Performance Homebuilder Moving to Arlington (Promoted)

1/19

Seeing the demand for high-performance, LEED certified homes in the area, Maryland homebuilder SEED Homes (www.seedhomes.com) is relocating their headquarters to Arlington. The move to 3300 Fairfax Dr, in the Clarendon/Va.Square Corridor, will be complete in July.

“As a company, we are moving towards building smaller homes that do not rely on the traditional power supply for electricity. Zero-energy smart homes are not a thing of the future anymore, we are building them now, and can build custom net-zero homes at competitive rates. That is why we want to be in Arlington, where customers prefer quality and character over size and raw numbers” says Vicrum Puri, President and Founder of SEED.   The company puts a different spin on a current buzz word. “Smart homes are not just about technology. If you are not building a beautifully finished home with energy-efficiency, high-performance, durability and home health in mind, it’s not a smart home to me.”

All of the homes built by SEED (which stands for Smart, Energy-Efficient Designed Homes) are LEED Certified. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is intended to provide building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.

The ratings range from basic Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, its highest grade. SEED has achieved Certification, Silver and Gold ratings in its homes, and has an upcoming project targeting LEED Platinum. The company’s most recent build, at 9207 Kirkdale Rd in Bethesda, MD, is set to achieve a LEED Gold certification. The home features an exhaustive list of performance, durability and sustainability features, including a high-efficiency HVAC system, a solar PV array and locally sourced construction materials. Over 90% of the waste from the construction of the home was recycled, and with a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) index score below 50, the home will use less than ½ of the energy of a home of the same size, built to code.

More info about SEED can be found at www.seedhomes.com

The preceding article was written and sponsored by SEED Homes

Waterfront Properties Priced to Sell in Central Virginia (Promoted)

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Virginia Lakefront Liquidation – Premium Waterfront Properties Priced to Sell!

One Day Only – Saturday, May 23, 2015

Falcon Ridge Run is a beautiful lakefront property, located in central Virginia. This incredible area is being offered to the public, for one day only, at just a fraction of its true value!

Virginia, ranked as the “#1 Safest Place to Invest in Real Estate” by Forbes Magazine*, provides a mix of rich history, moderate four-season climate, diverse relaxation and recreation options and its quintessential southern charm. This amazing lake offers affordable pricing, superb recreational activities, 100 miles of pristine shoreline and a wide variety of water sports.

“Never before have we offered such an outstanding property for such great values! We hope you take advantage of this opportunity for spectacular waterfront land!”

-L. Bragg & C. Payne, Developers

This is your opportunity to purchase directly from the developer at drastically reduced pricing for pennies on the dollar. Choose from properties up to 9+ acres with prices starting at only $15,000! Conveniently located just off Highway 29, this picturesque lake is Virginia’s water enthusiast’s paradise with activities including: swimming, boating and sailing, canoeing, fishing and much more!

Property Features Include:

  • Sweeping Lake Views
  • Lakeside Park
  • Community Lake Access with Boat Ramp
  • Wide Paved Roads
  • Large Level Homesites

Falcon Ridge Run is the perfect spot to get away and relax yet close enough to major area attractions. Come see for yourself — contact us for more information and property pictures!

call: 1.888.868.lake (5253)

Email: [email protected]

visit: www.falconridgerun.com

Summer Registration Underway for United Social Sports (Promoted)

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Editor’s Note: This post is authored and sponsored by United Social Sports.

Summer 2015 is here, and USS is set to kick off its summer season in Arlington!

We also have some good news: Social Sports of Arlington is now powered by United Social Sports. This means more awesome leagues to share with the Arlington community that come with all the perks of being a USS Player! Act fast as registration is open and some leagues have already sold out (no joke).

Use promo code ARLSM15 and save on your registration!

Don’t miss out on our upcoming events:

Bubble Soccer Series  June 14th   |   September 12th   |   October 17th

Below is a list of some Arlington area leagues. For a full listing of all of our leagues visit us at www.UnitedSocialSports.com

Bar Sports: Full Lineup

Bocce: Full Lineup

Cornhole: Full Lineup

Touch Football: Full Lineup

Kickball: Full Lineup

Skeeball: Full Lineup

Soccer: Full Lineup

Softball: Full Lineup

Volleyball: Full Lineup

United Social Sports caters to a growing population in Arlington who love to stay active and have a focus on having fun and being social over hardcore victories.

Registration closes for most Summer Team Sports on Tuesday, June 30th (or when leagues fill out) and for Spring Bar Sports on Tuesday, July 7th.

2015 Sagatov Design + Build Tour of Homes (Promoted)

1/19

Quickly becoming a highly anticipated event right here in Arlington, the annual Sagatov Design + Build Tour of Homes will take place this weekend.

On Saturday, May 9, from 12-4 p.m., Sagatov Design + Build will be opening three of their most recent designs for the public to walk through and enjoy.

Three stunning homes will be featured throughout the afternoon. This year’s lists of homes include a new build running without the use of fossil fuels. The Net-Zero home is designed with a vintage-industrial feel throughout. The second home is a beautiful mid-century renovation, followed by a modern farmhouse remodel with incredible design elements throughout.

A design firm to its core, Sagatov Design + Build is enhanced by a coordinated team of professionals able to deliver sustainable, architecturally interesting, modern homes, along with cohesive interior design, and landscaping services. Few design or build firms are able to deliver this level of coordinated production from beginning to end.

“Nothing makes me happier than reorganizing or redesigning a problem to squeeze more efficiency out of a situation” remarked company principle Yuri Sagatov.

Locations:

The preceding article was written and sponsored by Sagatov Design + Build

Home Listing: 3111 4th Street N. in Lyon Park

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Nestled on a beautifully landscaped 8,620 sq. ft. lot, this home is located on one of the loveliest streets in Lyon Park.

Ideally situated on a quiet numbered street, the home is a little more than 0.6 miles from the Metro, Trader Joe’s and Clarendon’s bustling urban village and is down the street from Lyon Park’s Community Center and playground. Clay and Rockwell parks are also in the neighborhood. Jogging and Biking paths are close by.

The classic colonial, circa 1937, has curb appeal to spare. It is the perfect blend of old fashioned charm and modern conveniences. With an impressive two-story 2001 addition designed and built by Case Builders, the home features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and a gracious main living area with a circular open floor plan.

The expanded home has everything you could want; an updated kitchen with new granite countertops and stainless steel appliances; inviting living & dining rooms; open family room looking out on the lovely backyard; a bright office filled with natural light; white oak hardwood floors throughout the home, wonderful built-ins; two wood burning fireplaces; finished basement; two-zoned heating & cooling; and a lovely flagstone patio and open frame porch with trex floorboards, perfect for entertaining.

The large fenced in backyard is an outdoor lovers’ paradise. A detached garage with workshop area, connected to the house via a breezeway, and a separate outside area for storing garbage and recyclables, makes this home the complete package. Additional amenities and perks include the tumbled marble vanity in the master bathroom,  main floor & backyard wired for sound, security system, and an Overlee Pool Association membership option to convey (negotiable). Overlee is a terrific pool community complex with active swim team.

Long Branch Elementary and Thomas Jefferson Middle School (an IB Middle School Program) are a short walk, drive or bike ride away. Popular Washington-Lee High School, which houses the county’s IB High School program, is the neighborhood high school.

According to Walkscore.com, the property has an excellent bikeability score of 81. The walkable score is 75.

Offered at $1.22 million. For more information or to schedule a showing please contact Natalie Roy via email at [email protected] or by phone at 703-819-4915.

There will be an open house for 3111 4th Street N. this Sunday, May 3rd, from 1-4 p.m.

Help Wanted: Tupelo Honey Cafe Opening Soon & Now Hiring!

Tupelo Honey CafeArlington’s new Tupelo Honey Cafe will open at its 2000 Clarendon address on June 1st, and the restaurant is currently looking to hire over 125 positions. Open positions include: Bartender, Dishwasher, BOH & FOH Key Hourlies, Host, Line & Prep Cooks, and Server.

The 6,500 square-foot restaurant will have 175 seats, a full bar and inviting outdoor seating fronting Clarendon Blvd.

Tupelo Honey Cafe serves fresh, scratch-made, Southern food including creative small plates such as Country Ham Wontons with Brussels Sprouts Salad and Tupelo Honey Vinaigrette. The restaurant also offers higher end dinner fare (Roasted Duck Breast with Cherry Port Sauce, Seared Sea Scallops with a Spring Pea Risotto) in addition to salads, sandwiches and soups.

Since opening in downtown Asheville, N.C. in 2000, Tupelo Honey Cafe has become one of the most beloved restaurants in the Southeast. The award-winning restaurant’s casual, colorful and whimsical atmosphere and farm-to-fork New South cuisine have grown in popularity, spurring additional locations and two nationally distributed Tupelo Honey Cafe cookbooks. With 9 locations, our projected annual revenue is $5 million.

Interested? Join our Team! Apply online at: http://tupelohoneycafe.com/careers/

The preceding post was sponsored by Tupelo Honey Cafe

Arlington Festival of the Arts Returns to Clarendon April 18-19

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The 3rd Annual Arlington Festival of the Arts returns with an explosion of color, an abundance of talent and a myriad of artistic media.

This two-day art show, produced by Howard Alan Events and hosted by the Clarendon Alliance, features the finest artists from around the country including exceptional local talent, as well as new and emerging artists.

Bold and vibrant paintings, contemporary and whimsical art, life-size sculptures, photography and jewelry are among the many original works of art that will be on display and for sale, transforming Highland Street in Clarendon, into an outdoor eclectic art gallery. A free art giveaway will feature the work of award-winning artist Joyce Stratton, www.joycestratton.com. No purchase will be necessary to register for the giveaway.

The artists are juried by an independent panel of expert judges and hand-selected from hundreds of applicants based on quality and diversity. All of the artwork is original and handmade. “We have a very selective jury process and choose only the finest artists providing festival-goers with an extraordinary experience,” says festival promoter Howard Alan.

All of the artists will be on site for the duration of the show and festival patrons are encouraged to engage the artists as they explore the exhibits. The prices are set to suit all budgets and will range from as low as $25 up to $30,000. The wide array of art will appeal to collectors and art enthusiasts as well as those looking for unique and affordable gift items.

“You have the opportunity to meet many different artists in one location and personally connect with them before purchasing a piece, which makes the investment much more meaningful,” assures Alan.

The artists, local merchants, restaurants and hotels all benefit from the festival, which drives additional guests and dollars to the community.  Howard Alan advocates the importance of supporting the arts and artists because this in turn helps the community.  He believes we can make a difference that will positively impact the local economy.   “We need to invest in each other, investing in our artists and our community will help to fuel the economy,” adds Alan.

Howard Alan Events develops and produces some of the nation’s finest juried art shows in more than 40 venues each year, many are ranked among the top 100 art fairs in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine.  These shows, which attract locals and tourists alike, include the Alexandria King Street Art Festival (Alexandria, VA), the Downtown Aspen Art Festival (Aspen, CO), the Beaver Creek Art Festival (Beaver Creek, CO), and the Las Olas Art Fairs, (Fort Lauderdale, FL).

The 3rd Annual Arlington Festival of the Arts runs Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm each day, admission is free.  The artists will be set up along Washington Boulevard, Clarendon Boulevard and N. Highland Street.  For additional information about the 3rd Annual Arlington Festival of the Arts and other Howard Alan Events shows across the country, visit www.artfestival.com or call 561-746-6615.

The preceding post was sponsored by Howard Alan Events

Verde Pointe Now Leasing in Courthouse (Promoted)

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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Verde Pointe — Arlington’s newest high-end apartment community — is now accepting leases for 2015 move-ins.

Featuring as many as 41 unique floor plan styles in both tower and townhome buildings, Verde Pointe will be a destination for area residents looking for a new apartment home in the centralized Courthouse neighborhood.

The community — located at the corner of North Veitch Street and Lee Highway — contains 162 apartment homes in a luxe residential tower as well as 36 apartment homes divided into townhome flats, each with a private entrance and the uppermost units with an enormous private rooftop terrace. Additionally, 242 residential parking spaces and the county’s first MOM’s Organic Market grocery store complete the mixed-use development.

Designed to LEED Gold standards, the apartment homes feature floor-to-ceiling windows, glass balconies, quartz countertops, movable kitchen islands, in-unit washer and dryers, programmable thermostats, engineered wood flooring, and panoramic views of the DC and Northern Virginia skyline. Both tower and townhome flats are available in studio, convertible, one bedroom, one bedroom plus den, and two bedroom varieties; pricing begins at $1,650/month.

Because Verde Pointe is an active construction site, interested parties are encouraged to visit the temporary leasing center at 2200 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite #1125, in Courthouse. Prospects receive tailor-made leasing materials, guided neighborhood discussions and details on services presented by the property management team, led by General Manager Charlie Wexell.

“We like to explore the ideal living situation for each prospect,” explains Wexell. “That’s the beauty of having so many unique floor plans and features: we can find the perfect fit for everyone’s specific preferences.”

The 36 townhome flats will deliver first, currently slated for the second week of June 2015. In each townhome are two flats, each with private entrances, easy access to the parking garage and open floor plans. The townhome flats located on the top floor also come complete with a private rooftop terrace. All community amenities, such as personal wine storage, rooftop pool, club room and kitchen, and fitness center will be available to all residents in the complex upon delivery of the tower, in July 2015.

The development is led by award-winning developer McCaffery Interests — who will also be managing the community within the nationally-renowned MI-Home brand — in partnership with Bergmann’s Cleaning, and with strong financial support from Cardinal Bank and Burke and Herbert Bank. In addition to Verde Pointe, McCaffery Interests is known for developing environmentally conscious projects nationwide. Last month, McCaffery Interests announced a new mixed-use development in partnership with Grosvenor Americas, known as Ballpark Square, located in the blooming Navy Yard neighborhood. Ballpark Square is home to First Residences, another new high-end residential community managed by McCaffery Interests.

Verde Pointe has been designed and is being constructed to LEED Gold standards, and will have several major sustainable features such as electric car charging stations and individually remote-controlled thermostats so residents can more closely control and monitor their energy use. In line with the green initiatives, MOM’s Organic Market has a long-running history with environmental advocacy, and has begun plans for engaging the Arlington community with eco-conscious functions and features for residents and neighbors.

All information on the Verde Pointe development and upcoming plans can be found at http://www.verdepointe.com/. Development and contact information for McCaffery Interests can be found at http://www.mccafferyinterests.com/.

The preceding article was sponsored by McCaffery Interests

Kickstart Your Spring Social Calendar with DC Bocce (Promoted)

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Are you looking for a week night activity that’s super social and easy to join? The traditional Italian sport of bocce just might be your answer. It turns out that in addition to game’s appeal as a relaxing backyard past-time, it also provides a framework for the perfect date. Just ask the young professionals of the area’s own DC Bocce League.

“Bocce is the perfect way to make new friends and meet that someone special,” says Sarah DeLucas, a co-founder of the DC Bocce League, the nation’s largest organized bocce organization. “Bocce provides a great medium for meeting new people. There is a natural flow of conversation deciding whose ball is closer to the pallina and the game can be picked up by people of all abilities. Plus it can be played in your best date outfit – no need for gym clothes.”

DeLucas’s league has operated in various locations across Arlington, DC, and Bethesda for ten years and boasts at least nine known couples who met playing and ended up tying the knot. If your interest is peaked by the idea of bocce games with other singles and young professionals, sign up for DC Bocce’s special brand of bocce this spring in one of three Virginia locations:

  • Alexandria on Thursdays at Braddock Park (600 N Henry Street)
  • Ballston on Tuesdays at Maury Park (3550 Wilson Blvd)
  • Columbia Pike on Wednesdays at Walter Reed Park (2909 16th Street)

Registration for DC Bocce’s spring season is currently open through Sunday, April 5th.

Teams play every week for 6 weeks. At the end of the season everyone participates in a single elimination tournament culminating in the crowning of a champion team. Bonus: everyone makes the playoffs so you don’t have to be an expert to get started. After games, players congregate at a nearby bar that offers exclusive discounts on food and drinks to bocce players. Unlike other social sports leagues you may have encountered, scoring off the courts is just as important as winning the game.

To get in on the bocce action, use promo code ARLNOW10 to save $10 on your registration.

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