Press Releases

Arlington, VA (November 17, 2022) – Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) is pleased to announce the launch of its Individual Development Account (IDA) program for residents, Building Financial Stability, Fostering Mobility. This specialized savings program is a tool proven to increase economic stability and build assets. Participants who have completed similar IDA programs are often able to reduce debt, become homeowners, start businesses, and further their education.

APAH Resident meets with a financial professional

Research has demonstrated that even modest savings toward personal goals can have an out-sized impact on sustained, positive financial habits. APAH President and CEO, Carmen Romero expressed, “We are thrilled that the Building Financial Stability, Fostering Mobility program has received generous program-launching support from Bank of America, Northrop Grumman by way of NEF-LISC Bring Them HOMES, and Capital One. As a result, APAH is establishing a practical, tangible pathway to break the cycle of poverty that affects so many of our neighbors. This first year will be a success, and we hope that the success of program participants will encourage more organizations to partner with us and with our residents to build financial stability.”

Year one of the Building Financial Stability, Fostering Mobility cohort is enlisting approximately 50 adults living at APAH properties, 20 of whom will be veterans. Participants will work in partnership with APAH resident services staff to self-identify a savings goal that could lead to homeownership or starting a small business. Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) residents will receive participation priority, aligning with APAH’s commitment to Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Program participants will open a dedicated savings account with Arlington Community Federal Credit Union. These accounts will facilitate regular contributions from participants who will

receive a 5-to-1 match on their first $500 saved. Residents can then use these funds to grow their personal savings, pay down accrued debt, or make strategic investments, allowing them to achieve their personal financial goals.

Finally, participants will attend financial education sessions on critical topics, including individualized goal setting and matched program saving accounts, and receive goal-specific resources and individualized support through program partners.

About APAH
Founded in 1989, APAH now helps more than 2,600 households live in stable, secure, and affordable rental homes. APAH has more than 300 affordable apartments under construction and an additional 1,500 in its development pipeline. APAH’s Columbia Hills Apartment received the 2019 ULI Washington Trends Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing. And both Columbia Hills and Gilliam Place, APAH’s most recent projects, were recognized as Virginia’s Best Affordable Housing project by Virginia Housing. In 2020, APAH was named one of the nation’s Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers by Affordable Housing Finance magazine. The organization was named 2021 Developer of the Year by HAND, the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers. In 2022, APAH’s Queens Court Apartments received HAND’s award for the Best Large Affordable Housing Project.

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Arlington’s PIERCE is Washington’s Top Condominium in 2022

(November 2022)–The luxurious Pierce condominium took home top honors from Delta Associates as the prime property in its residential class for 2022. Pierce’s popularity continues to dominate the regional condominium market, selling residences above $1,000 a square foot.

“We are thrilled to win this honor as it recognizes the prestige and prominence of Pierce as a beautiful new addition to the Virginia skyline,” said John Kusturiss, Senior Vice President of Development at Pierce Highlands, LLC. “Pierce was designed to appeal to a sophisticated clientele that values an understated but classic style of living. The continuing strength of our sales is testament to that vision.”

At the Pierce sales gallery, 71 of the 104 residences have sold at prices ranging from $1 million to more than $3 million by the Mayhood Company sales team. “This is a property that attracts prospects who understand and appreciate fine workmanship and quality finishes,” said David Mayhood, president of the Mayhood Company.

The sales success is cause for celebration by The Mayhood Company, which earned three of the Delta Associates Awards in 2022, a rare trifecta in the competitive condominium market.

John Kusturiss said upscale condominiums like Pierce are attracting downsizing empty nesters from surrounding Virginia neighborhoods as well as from Montgomery County and Washington, D.C. A sizable number of relocating couples and singles, notably from Florida, Texas and Seattle, have purchased homes at Pierce, in proximity to Amazon’s new HQ2 development.

From wherever they hail, new residents say they are thrilled to live and enjoy the 26-story Pierce, a striking addition to the flourishing Arlington marketplace. On a clear day they can see forever – or at least across the Potomac River to downtown Washington, to the Washington National Cathedral, to Georgetown and even to Sugarloaf Mountain. And for the annual 4th of July fireworks on the Washington Mall, they will have a front-row seat.

Capitalizing on the expansive views, renowned architect Hickock Cole designed Pierce with an open, contemporary flair, which is reflected in the large and livable floor plans, among the roomiest in the marketplace. The living and dining areas are awash in natural lighting, with their floor-to-ceiling windows. Private balconies, spacious dens and oversized, walk-in closets underscore the expansive, spacious feeling. “The overall effect is stylish, contemporary and yet comfortable,” Mayhood said.

Residents enjoy Pierce’s chef-inspired kitchens with their custom lacquered cabinets by Snaidero, oversized islands, quartz countertops and built-in wine refrigerators. Appliances are stainless steel by Thermador and energy-efficient dishwashers by Bosch. Bathrooms have heated floors, spa-like showers, Seura vanity lighting and fixtures by Kohler and Brizo. About half the residences have direct-access elevators, allowing residents to go directly from garage parking to their own homes.

When residents or visitors linger in the lobby, they will discover a curated collection of 15 unique artistic pieces, all created by Washington-area female artists. The art was sourced through Latela Curatorial, a Washington firm that specializes in weaving together conceptual art projects, in this case further enhancing the daily lives of residents at Pierce.
Kusturiss also noted that Pierce has the perfect location: ease of access to Georgetown and downtown Washington, close to shops, restaurants, employment centers and just blocks to Metro, the Key Bridge – and a short Uber ride to Reagan National Airport.

Prospects should visit Pierce at 1781 N Pierce Street in Rosslyn.

To schedule a private tour, email [email protected]. Or call 571.312.0724.

The Mayhood Company has been responsible for the sale of many luxury condominium buildings in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Visit: www.MayhoodCompany.com.

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New Washington Metro Virtual Community Offers All Professionals

Opportunity for Social Mobility Through “Change Cafe”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 2, 2022) — All professionals and people of any background in the Washington metropolitan area are welcome to a new virtual community called “Change Cafe” on November 17, 2022, at 7 pm, via online meeting. This is the first event of its kind for the open, public group.

Brainstormed in response to the widespread desire by many during the COVID pandemic to change careers, Change Cafe is an opportunity for professionals, of any age, job stage or status, to learn about and share experiences of employment transition.

The virtual series, starting November 17 at 7 pm, is free-of-charge and will feature short professional development tips from event organizers Ja Green and Aaron Kohrs, and then an open cafe for participants to share career change goals. Change Cafe will occur virtually on the first Tuesday of every month thereafter and cover topics like preparing to leave a job strategically, finding resources to discern or start a new career, and tailoring a resume for success in a new field. Attendees will drive meeting discussions.

Says organizer Aaron Kohrs, “Both my fellow community organizer, Ja Green, and I recently changed employment fields in the D.C. area and aim to help others in a similar situation by providing a digital community to share and learn best practices for career change. Often, an individual knows they need a change-something many realized during COVID-but it is hard to know where to start. Start with Change Cafe and brainstorm your way to a new job with ideas on finding resources, managing transitions, and marketing yourself to new employers.”

Kohrs relocated to the D.C. area this year without a job, found work in several contract roles in the interim, before landing a dream job in the public sector. Similarly, Green, who worked in several federal agencies until this year, is exploring social entrepreneurship in digital creation.

For more information and to register for the virtual meeting link, go to the group’s webpage at Facebook.com/ChangeCafeDC. All are welcome to attend this first-of-a-series session.

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Alanna Rivera Studios presents the Cherrydale Holiday Art Market showcasing artists and makers from Arlington, D.C., and Maryland. Founded by a lifelong Arlington resident and artist, this free, family-friendly event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 12 and Saturday, November 19 indoors at the Cherrydale United Methodist Church, 3701 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, VA 22207.

There is plenty of free parking in the adjacent parking lot and on the street and the event inside is handicap accessible with an elevator leading to the market.

Many of the small businesses present at the art market are minority, woman-owned businesses based in Arlington, VA, including a couple of Made in Arlington vendors. There will be handmade ceramics, paintings, art prints, fine jewelry, custom wood products, comics, apparel, and dog treats for sale. The event is free and there will be a free craft table where kids can decorate their own holiday ornaments while their parents are shopping.

For more information, please visit http://www.alannarivera.com or email Alanna at [email protected]. The vendor application is closed for 2022.

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Arlington, VA (Oct. 27, 2022)- Synetic Theater celebrates the season with a delightful, original holiday production, Snow Maiden, December 1-23 in National Landing. A boy searching for joy builds a friend from the snow and his creation miraculously comes to life. Their time together is full of mischief and laughter, but can the cold winter keep their friendship alive forever? Tickets are on sale now at www.synetictheater.org.

High in the mountains, deep in a snow-covered forest, an extraordinary friendship comes of a lonely boy’s hopes for a friend. On Christmas morning, he builds a companion from snow and the Snow Maiden magically comes to life. Their friendship blossoms…until the snow begins to melt around them. Told through dazzling movement, dance and acrobatics, Snow Maiden is a heart-warming story of love, hope and the transformative powers of awe and wonder.

Based on the beloved 19th-century folktale, “Snegurochka” by Alexander Ostrovsky, Snow Maiden is a new original production created and directed by Helen-Hayes Award-winning choreographer and Synetic Co-Founder Irina Tsikurishvili. Actress Maryam Najafzada, a classically trained ballet dancer and choreographer from Azerbaijan, will play Snow Maiden alongside award-winning Georgian-American actor, director and choreographer Vato Tsikurishvili as The Boy. Both Najafzada and Tsikurishvili are masters of Synetic’s signature stage movement.

The family-friendly, 45-minute holiday tale comes to life in a wordless production set to an enchanting score combining classical pieces and music by resident composer, Koki Lortkipanidze. Snow Maiden is a charming holiday show for family and friends of all ages to enjoy.

Ticket holders are encouraged to come early for holiday music, and winter-themed arts and crafts activities.

CAST

Snow Maiden
Maryam Najafzada

The Boy
Vato Tsikurishvili

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Arlington, VA (October 31, 2022) – On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, The Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Terwilliger Center for Housing announced the winners of the inaugural Terwilliger Center Award for Innovation in Attainable Housing. APAH’s Queens Court Apartments was one of four developments awarded within the United States or Canada for creating “innovative yet replicable mixed-income and affordable developments that are expanding housing opportunities in their communities.”

Christopher Ptomey, Executive Director of ULI’s Terwilliger Center for Housing said, “Each year, housing costs continue to grow and burden household budgets, and no community is immune to this issue. The 2022 winners are innovative and replicable examples of how ULI members and other housing development stakeholders are leading the charge in addressing the growing home attainability challenges plaguing their communities.”

Upon receiving the award at the ULI Dallas convening, APAH President and CEO, Carmen Romero expressed, “On behalf of the APAH team, I am so pleased to share this award with each of the developers across North America. Thank you to the ULI jury for your vote of confidence in APAH’s work. We provide individualized support to nearly 250 families that call Queens Court home, so we’re pleased to share this recognition with the residents who benefit.” Special thanks are due to APAH’s development partners, including Donahoe Construction, KGD Architecture, KCM Construction Management, Bank of America, Virginia Housing, and Arlington County.

Queens Court Apartments, once a three-story, garden-style complex, was demolished and rebuilt on the same site, which reopened in 2021. The now 12-story, 249-unit affordable community is located in the heart of urban Rosslyn in Arlington, Virginia. Residents have access to two metro transit stations, community and onsite amenities including free or low-cost internet, as well as a state-of-the-art public playground, Rosslyn Highlands.

For more information about Queens Court, please visit the APAH website.

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On October 28, students and staff at Randolph Elementary school held a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the completion of new educational blacktop art that encourages more physical activity and outdoor play. Regular physical activity is essential to help children build strong muscles and bones, improve fine motor skills, focus better in the classroom, and improve their mental health.

Healthy Community Action Team (HCAT) Arlington received funding from Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) and Arlington Foundation for Families and Youth (ArlFFY) to cover the cost of the project and hire a local artist to paint the blacktop murals at two Title 1 schools, Randolph Elementary and Carlin Springs Elementary. Schools are designated as Title 1 schools if they have 45% or higher free and reduced-price lunch eligibility rates and Randolph and Carlin Springs Elementary School’s free and reduced-price lunch rates are both higher than 70% and serve a high percentage of students of color.

“We are really excited to be able to bring some fun and color to these school yards and encourage more outdoor physical activity for the students during the school day,” said Mary Sanders, HCAT Arlington Coordinator. “With the pandemic and increased screen time, kids are much more sedentary, and this project will help encourage active movement and outdoor play.” HCAT Arlington works on projects and initiatives to decrease childhood obesity rates throughout Arlington. HCAT Arlington is also a founding member of Arlington Living Schoolyard Initiative (ALSI), which works to ensure Arlington students have equitable access to outdoor learning opportunities on their schoolyards.

“The Randolph Elementary community is so grateful for and proud to have the artwork painted by artist Briam Montenegro -a dream come true for our school,” Carlos Ramirez, Principal of Randolph Elementary thanked Mary Sanders from HCAT Arlington “Our playground now has 6 different educational designs painted on both blacktops for students to reinforce their learning of letters, numbers, the planets, etc., as they play purposefully during recess. As an International Baccalaureate school, we welcome all community members and organizations, such as HCAT, who contribute to our students being life-long learners and global citizens.”

“This is cool! I’m gonna run on the rocks next to Mars!” said 2nd grader JC Watts, about one of the painted murals featuring the solar system on the blacktop.

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(Arlington, VA) – John Eric will join radio host Emilio DiSpirito in an interview that will be nationally broadcast on IHeart Radio on November 6. The discussion will be based on Eric’s thoughts on the current state of the real estate market in the Washington DC region.

John Eric, one of the leading real estate agents in the Washington DC metro area, is a pioneer in the real estate market. He opened one of Compass Real Estate’s most successful offices in Arlington, VA and is principal of the John Eric + Trevor Moore Team based out of that office.

“I am looking forward to this interview,” says John Eric. “There is so much to talk about right now regarding real estate in the DC Metro area. I expect our conversation to be spirited and informational. And fun. Those who tune in will not be disappointed.”

Expected topics to be covered are status of the market, trends, and personal antecdotes. The show will air on November 6 on IHeart Radio at 10 am. It will also be broadcast simultaneously on Providence 104.7FM and Newsradio 920AM.

About John Eric – John is the principal of the John Eric + Trevor Moore Team, the number one team in the Compass Real Estate Arlington Office and one of the top teams for Compass in the Washington metro area. With sales approaching $950M, the team is national recognized for their sales and dedication to their clients, colleagues and the real estate profession.

About Emilio DiSpirito – Emilio brings energetic and high-visibility leadership to Engel & Völkers East Greenwich. The License Partner with Engel & Völkers East Greenwich & Barrington East Greenwich, Emilio matches a decade of real-estate sales experience with a passion for customer service and a no-nonsense approach born of humble beginnings.

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For Immediate Release Contact: Jennifer Swanson, President
SJA (Study Japanese in Arlington)
Phone: 703-304-2213
Email: [email protected]

October 15, 2022
Arlington, VA

FREE family friendly cultural event

Study Japanese in Arlington and Omotesenke Domonkai Eastern Region, with support from First Presbyterian Church, Arlington is proud to present an authentic one-of-a-kind Japanese tea ceremony experience in the heart of Arlington on Sunday, October 23, 2022, 2-5pm. (3 seatings: 2:30, 3. 3:30pm)

Guests will be able to participate in the tea ceremony as a guest, eat a Japanese sweet and enjoy a real bowl of ceremonial matcha. Children under 10 must be accompanied by a parent and every person (adult and child) must be signed up. If you prefer to observe and not drink tea, please register for a standing ticket. Please only sign up for one slot to give others the chance to drink tea. Parking is free and available anywhere in the church parking lot, enter by the back door from the parking lot on the left. Registration is available on our website.

Mrs. Uchiyama, a master kimono dressing teacher, will be dressing children and adults in kimono. She has the kimono and photographer; guests only need to register. There is a reduced fee for this. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmNUsxbcinO_P0lZYO3WgIsgCPTuq298aCw_BogM6tP8wBaQ/viewform

Save Japanese in Arlington (SJA) organized in May 2018, after the Arlington Public School System (APS) announced the end the Japanese language program. SJA launched a student-led grassroots campaign, organizing a petition, and making an appeal at the school board meeting. The Japanese program was reinstated at all high schools in the county that school year and the number of students studying Japanese continues to increase. In September 2018, SJA, now with a new name, Study Japanese in Arlington, became a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. We create free Japanese language and cultural opportunities for residents of the DC area.

Note: By attending this event, you agree that any photo of you may be used in future marketing materials for SJA.

See our website for more information about SJA’s programs and events. Sjastudy.org

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Oct. 13, 2022–The team behind DANI’S TWINS, a short documentary capturing the pregnancy and early parenting journey of Dani Izzie, local filmmaker and quadriplegic mom to twins, announced today its status as an official selection of the 2022 Virginia Film Festival (https://virginiafilmfestival.org/35th-annual-vaff-program-announced/).

The award-winning film will screen on Thurs., Nov. 3 at 5 pm in Culbreth Theatre on the University of Virginia Campus. A filmmakers’ Q&A will follow.

Izzie, a Virginia native and resident of Culpeper County, joined veteran filmmaker Brad Allgood, as well as VA residents Steve Dorst (director, cinematographer) and Angie Gentile (producer) to document her one-in-a-billion journey as one of the few quadriplegic women ever to give birth to twins. The film captures the high-stakes drama of Izzie’s expected and unexpected challenges throughout pregnancy, as well as the joys and profound beauty of her experience.

“As difficult as it was to share such a private story, I was compelled to provide an authentic portrait of what pregnancy and motherhood with a disability looks like in real life,” says Izzie, star and producer of the film. “My goal is to break down barriers and help people with and without disabilities understand that disabled pregnancy and parenthood is not only possible, it’s actually quite normal.”

When the Covid pandemic nearly brought production to a standstill, the team worked with Izzie, who despite the physical limitations of her pregnancy and spinal cord injury, was able to document a critical portion of her journey-including the race to the University of Virginia (UVA) Medical Center when she went into labor.

“The birth of Dani’s twins was the culmination of months of careful prenatal care and planning,” says Dr. Robert Fuller, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at UVA Health and UVA Children’s. “We celebrate with Dani and her family as this extraordinary new chapter of her life begins.”

T​he Virginia Film Festival kicks off with a program of more than 100 films and events on November 2-6. Tickets go on sale at noon on Tuesday, October 18 at http://virginiafilmfestival.org.

Producer Gentile adds: “Being able to show our film in Virginia, which is near and dear to our hearts, and at UVA, where much of Dani’s story unfolds, is an incredibly gratifying experience.”

Since its world premiere at Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, CO, in May, DANI’S TWINS has won a number of awards, including the “Best Film about Women Award” from the Toronto International Women Film Festival, “Audience Award” from DC Shorts Film Festival, and the “Audience Award” for Best Short from Pittsburgh ReelAbilities/Film Pittsburgh.

DANI’S TWINS was made possible in part through generous contributions from Magnetic Me, a clothing line for babies and moms, and Friendsheep, a fair trade producer of eco-friendly wool dryer balls.

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DANI’S TWINS is the premiere release of Perpetuo Films, a studio that produces entertaining content for people who give a damn. Our active slate of programming includes DANI’S TWINS; PATROL, the battle to preserve Nicaragua’s rainforest from illegal cattle ranching; and EAT BITTER, the first English-language documentary out of the Central African Republic, capturing the tensions between Chinese migrants and local workers during a civil war. In 2021, our films secured grants and partnered with the biggest global names in nonfiction storytelling: Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), the Ford Foundation, the Sundance Institute, Mountainfilm, the European Union, Re:wild, Netflix Ambulante, DOC DEVELOPMENT AFRICA, Durban FilmMart, and others. Perpetuo Films is working to realize a thriving Web3 creator economy where documentary filmmakers have more autonomy and ownership.

CONTACT

Angie Gentile, VP, Impact and Engagement, Perpetuo Films, [email protected], +1-571-243-0972

RELATED LINKS

Facebook: http://facebook.com/DanisTwinsFilm
Website: http://DanisTwinsFilm.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DanisTwinsFilm and https://www.instagram.com/daniizzie/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanisTwinsFilm
Dani’s blog: http://daniizzie.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/daniizzie

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Saint Agnes School (SAS) is honored to cap its 75th-anniversary celebrations with its second National Blue Ribbon Award. SAS was one of twenty-four private schools to receive the award in the country. It is also one of seven schools selected in all of Virginia, and the only non-public school in the state to receive this honor.

Founded in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Award is bestowed by the U.S Department of Education. It can only be bestowed on a school every five years, and the school must meet a lengthy set of criteria. The designation of a Blue Ribbon remains with a school once awarded, but the year of the award must also be displayed.

SAS last received the National Blue Ribbon in 2009. Under the leadership of Principal Jen Kuzdzal, the receipt of a second National Blue Ribbon demonstrates SAS’s and its faculty’s commitment to excellence. In addition, a new wing has just been added to the school to expand the facilities.

With a population of 460 students, from Pre-K to 8Th grade, SAS offers a student-teacher ratio of 10:1. In a combined elementary and middle school environment the students literally grow up in our school. They transition from learning by example from the older students to eventually being the students who lead by example.

Given the size of the school, teachers have the flexibility to differentiate instruction to meet each student’s needs as well as use specific instruction techniques. SAS provides a full-time counselor and Nurse on-site daily.

Additionally, SAS is the only Catholic School in Arlington and one of three in the Arlington Diocese to offer a choice of language in Middle School. All students begin with Spanish starting in Pre-Kindergarten.

For those interested in SAS, the school will be holding an Open House on Wednesday, November 2nd at 10 AM.

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