Title insurance is boring, but Allied Title & Escrow is here to decode the jargon and make it (somewhat) more interesting. This biweekly feature will explore the mundane (but very necessary!) world of title insurance while sharing interesting stories of two friends’ entrepreneurial careers.
Who needs words? Here is a quick 1 minute video about Allied Title & Escrow and why they are different than other settlement companies.
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.
What better way to stir up an appetite for holiday shopping than sampling handmade pies? And stocking up on artist created greeting cards? And heavenly chocolate?
The Made in Arlington pop-up shop at Courthouse Plaza is back in 2018 with even more weekly artisans and entrepreneurs starting Thursday, November 1 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Find your favorites and welcome newcomers who will make this your go-to for gift giving and indulgence.
Opening day on November 1 features ‘Livin the Pie Life’, rated by Sports Illustrated as the BEST game day Thanksgiving Pie. The 2017 sell-out pie shop pop-up means that showing up early is a must this year! Line up for samples, purchases and info on how to order your holiday favorites. Don’t be left with crumbs!
Right along-side Pie Life will be FastSnail creative greetings and design with cards and prints that both amuse and amaze. Featured in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival Marketplace, Fast Snail’s Liz Hutcheson designs cards with local flavor, seasonal character and all occasion whimsical greetings.
Don’t miss these weekly pop-up vendors throughout November:
November 1
Living the Pie Life
FastSnail creative greetings and designs
November 8
Denison Lane
Bakeshop
November 15
Kingsbury Chocolates
Tracy Wilkerson
November 29
Melanie Lee
District Line Clothing
Full Pop-Up Schedule throughout December can be found here.
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.
Check here for ongoing Creative Economy listings and opportunities. More Creative economy stories on the blog.
This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By John V. Berry, Esq.
One of the most evolving areas of employment law today is how off-duty social media use is increasingly affecting employees and their employment. One of the most common misconceptions about employee off-duty social media use is that it is somehow protected by law and cannot subject an employee to discipline. In particular, there is a belief that the First Amendment protects speech made outside of work on social media.
This isn’t the case. The First Amendment generally does not protect this type of speech for private sector employees and only rarely does for public sector employees.
Recent Examples in the News
Some recent examples of the connection between social media and employment have made the news recently. In one example, a private school administrator was placed on suspension for making inappropriate comments to Attorney Michael Avenatti on Twitter. A second example involved a Dean at Catholic University who this week was suspended for making comments about a female complainant related to the Kavanaugh U.S. Senate Supreme Court proceedings on social media.
Few Protections for Employee Use of Social Media
We have seen similar kinds of social media use issues arise in workplace termination cases far more frequently these days. The use of social media by employees is generally not protected by the First Amendment which only protects individuals from government action, not actions of private employers.
Employees can be terminated for social media speech even if it was created with their private accounts and prepared after work hours. Many companies are increasingly receiving complaints about employees who make threatening or inappropriate comments on Facebook, Twitter or other social media outlets.
As a result, many employers are then taking disciplinary action against these same employees. As the law on social media evolves we may see some protections develop where an employer takes discriminatory action for a post or violates other state and federal laws.
However, right now there is little in the way of protections for employment actions taken due to social media postings.
As easy as it is for an individual to express an inappropriate comment on social media in a moment of frustration it is just as easy for someone who sees the comment to report it to an employer.
In this evolving world of social media and employment law, it is generally a good idea for employees to understand the thin line that exists between posting on social media in a moment of frustration and an employer taking disciplinary action against them.
Conclusion
When facing employment or wrongful termination issues in Virginia it is important to obtain the advice of and representation of an attorney. Our law firm advises and represents individuals in wrongful termination matters in Virginia and other jurisdictions. We can be contacted at www.berrylegal.com or by telephone at 703-668-0070.
Please also visit and like us on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
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.
New beers include Solace Brewing Company Buzz Magic Double IPA, @birds fly Birds Fly South Ale Project Radio Silence Pale Ale, Mast Landing Brewing Company Little Choppy Hoppy Session Ale, and many more! Full list of arrivals in the link below.
This week’s featured brewery is Aslin Beer Company!
On Tap Now
And last but not least, tapping soon: ‘The Implication’ Double IPA, loaded with Nelson Sauvin, Hallertau Blanc and Lemon Drop. Pours only on all Aslin beers.
Download the DigitalPour mobile app to view all 36 of our taps in real time with pricing and crowler availability!
Stop by Saturday from 1-5 p.m. for our weekly wine tasting! This week we are featuring Rasa Vineyards Occam’s Razor Red, Weingut Köster Wolf Müller-Thurgau, Domaine Pillot Jean-Michel et Laurent Bourgogne Rouge and Eden Ciders Heritage Cider!
Full list of new beer arrivals, wine sales, and more details click this link.
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.
A study conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity and Prevention found that 56% of dogs and 60% of cats in the United States were classified as overweight by their veterinarians in 2017.
Given that the average dog encountered at the park and the average cat seen peaking out through a window is more likely to be overweight than not, pet owners are developing a skewed perception of a healthy body weight.
Your dog or cat’s annual physical exam includes a standardized body condition score. Your veterinarian certainly isn’t trying to body shame your furry friend — we think they are just as cute with a few extra pounds and a set of love handles!
However, when you take into account all of the impacts obesity can have on your pet’s health, and the added cost to your pet’s health care as a result, those extra pounds are far from “cute.” If you are looking for the absolute best way to keep your dog or cat happy and healthy for as long as possible, the answer is to keep them lean.
Not only is a lean body weight what is best for your pet’s health, it is also what is best for your wallet — it is guaranteed to save you money on the cost of pet food and veterinary care in the long run.
The most effective way to get your pet to lose weight is to feed fewer calories. This means that you’ll buy fewer bags per year of that expensive pet food you’ve been budgeting for.
Also consider that obesity leads to diseases that decrease your pet’s quality of life and increase your cost of veterinary care. Arthritis, cruciate ligament rupture, intervertebral disk disease, respiratory disease, liver disease, diabetes and heat stroke are all more likely to occur in overweight patients.
All of these diseases can require pricey medications, surgeries and treatments to manage, and can cause a lot of stress for both you and your pet.
The consequences of obesity may sound daunting, but the good news is that your pet’s body condition is entirely within your control. Your dog or cat (hopefully) can’t open the pantry or fridge door themselves, and they rely on you to control their food intake.
Think twice before you share your snack with your pet — what is considered a “snack” for you could be more than their total daily caloric requirement.
A helpful comparison provided by Hill’s shows that one ounce of cheddar cheese for your 20 pound dog is the equivalent of the average woman eating one and half hamburgers. For a 10 pound cat, this would be the equivalent of a woman eating two and a half hamburgers.
The best way to have control over your pet’s body weight is to avoid table scraps altogether and stick to food and treats that have a known caloric content. The packaging of any reputable brand of food or treat will provide the number of kilocalories per cup of food or per treat, which makes it easier to stick to the caloric intake recommended by your veterinarian.
If you are the type of person who just can’t help but slip treats to your best bud when he is being extra adorable (which happens a lot), try measuring out a daily allotment and drawing from this pile throughout the day when you’re feeling inspired to do so. Using some self control will help keep your pets slim and trim, which will keep them happy, healthy and by your side for many more years to come.
This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.
By Tara Palacios
2018. The age of viral videos and shared media posts.
How does it happen? What are the best ways to reach your clients in the short and long term? Does it make sense for your business to engage in certain activities which require the latest media tools? Do you have the right tools in your arsenal to engage successfully with your customers?
In a perfect world, your business should have a detailed (up-to-date) strategic plan in place when it comes to interacting with your customers.
First, you’ll need to answer the most fundamental question: how do your clients best receive information? Once you find out where your clients are the next thing is to understand everything about the platform, and create tools to help you to interact and engage.
Media Toolkit Quick Checklist
Step 1: Website — The content on your web site should be clear, informative and not too wordy. Less is best.
The ultimate goal of success is that all activities (blog posts, tweets, FB and LinkedIn etc.) will lead potential clients to your Web site to purchase your goods or services. This is the “call-to-action,” that your media kit must have, and your Web site is the virtual calling card of your business.
Add analytics to see how well your Web site is performing. Are you on the first page in search engines when people look for you using your industry’s key words? Anything less means your clients may find it hard to find you in search engines.
Step 2: Social Media Presence — Identify which platforms your clients are on, and make sure you are there! Social Media options can range from LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and more.
Follow key influencers and make sure you ask them to follow you back. Freshen content daily and use different online platforms to help you manage daily content. Many of these social media tools can help you analyze how well your data and information are being opened, clicked on and shared.
Keep in mind — the more active you are on social media (using industry keywords and hashtags where applicable), the higher you can be found on search engines!
Step 3: Use of Photography/Videography — These days almost anyone can be a photographer or videographer on-the-go if you own a smartphone or tablet. The high quality of images can be captured right on your phone, making just about anyone a great photographer, and the opportunities to engage endless.
The use of images and video content on your Web site and social media platforms are critical and help in making your content clickable. The more you can use images and video the more interactive you will make the experience for your clients.
Step 4: Experiential Marketing — Nowadays, many marketing strategies and marketing campaigns include experiential touches. In building a brand, companies engage their customers throughout the process to ensure the success of their product or service.
If a customer feels a deep tie with the business, they are loyal to the brand. A campaign can include customers contributing to the overall look and feel of the business or participating in activities that encourage giving back to a community.
BizLaunch and the Arlington Independent Media (AIM) are pleased to announce they will be offering several business courses next month on how to best use media tools to build your business.
We will launch the first course with making sure you have everything you need in your media toolkit, and then move on to specific instruction on both photography and videography for your business.
For more information please click on the hyperlinks below. We hope you can join us to brush up on your skills or to improve the ones you have!
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 Chelsea Pennington, Bark + Boarding Writer and Animal Enthusiast
As the weather cools off, there are plenty of fun activities for us humans to enjoy to celebrate fall. But there’s no reason to leave your dog at home to miss out on the fun! From pumpkin patches to trick-or-treating, local venues allow you to bring along your dog to enjoy the fall festivities too.
Bark or Treat
October 26
6:30-8 p.m.
Alexandria City Marina
105 North Union Street, Alexandria
Bring your dog on a cruise of the Potomac River and enjoy the fresh air, changing leaves and fall fun! The cruise takes you on a sightseeing tour of Alexandria’s Seaport, and on October 26th, you and your dog are welcome to wear costumes and get into the Halloween spirit.
Wine Down Wednesdays
October 17
5:30-8 p.m.
1575 Keswick Winery Drive, Keswick
Fall can be a busy season, so why not spend an evening chilling out with a glass of wine at the Keswick Winery? Live music will be performed by Chamomile & Whiskey and food is provided by Spice Sea Gourmet. Of course, your pooch is invited!
A popular fall tradition are “howl-o-ween” parties hosted by local pet stores. These often include games, prizes, pet-safe fall treats and more. Check with a pet store near you to see if they have any events going on this season!
Nothing says fall like visiting an apple orchard! Enjoy the cool weather and some favorite fall treats when you stop by Scenic View Orchards. Pick your own apples, visit their farmer’s market and explore the outdoors with your pup.
Saints Row is a family-owned nano-brewery that is new to the area, but sure to quickly become a favorite. Your leashed dog is welcome to keep you company while you tour the facility and sample some of the beers they have on tap. You can also bring in outside food, so enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the other dogs!
Just about every activity you want to do during fall is available at Montpelier Farms. They have a pumpkin patch, corn maze and even a fall festival open until November 4th. Your dog can join you in wandering the grounds of the farm, and even accompany you through the corn maze.
Even though this market is open year-round, something about fall makes farmer’s markets seem even more special. Bring your dog and support local farmers while getting fresh food such as fruits and vegetables, pastured meat, poultry and eggs, farmstead and artisan cheeses, sweet and savory baked goods (including gluten free options), jams and jellies plus home goods such as potted plants, soaps, cut flowers and more.
For any of the fun fall activities where dogs are not invited, daycare is a great alternative to ensure your pup is safe and having fun while you are doing the same!
Looking for more tips, interested in adorable pet pics or just want to get more information on what we do? Stay connected with Bark + Boarding on Facebook, Instagram and our website!
Click here to check out our short video about this article!
Mention this article for a FREE evaluation and click here to sign up for one today. If you have a question about your pet, feel free to come in or email [email protected] any time.
This content was written and sponsored by The Keri Shull Team, Arlington’s top producing residential real estate team.
During the 1960’s this unassuming storefront was a spot to buy adjustable wrenches. Now it’s a place where you can order and drink an “Adjustable Wrench” — or a “Blueprint,” a “Nailed It” or a “Tongue and Groove.”
Wilson Hardware’s been open since September 2017. One year after opening, this eclectic spot has become a favorite spot for drinking, dining and weekend unwinding.
In our Arlington Restaurant Spotlight video above, Drew of the Keri Shull Team talks to Faris Ghareeb, co owner of the Wilson Hardware Kitchen & Bar along with partners Jad Bouchebel, Alex Haje and Walid Zeytoun.
Wilson Hardware Kitchen & Bar looks unassuming on the outside, but on stepping across the threshold you’ll find a surprisingly deep, airy layout opening into five rooms and three bars.
Pull up to the 27-foot-long main bar’s quartz top, eat dinner on the mezzanine, enjoy warm weather on the outdoor patio lounge or grab a drink with a view at the rooftop bar.
Wilson Hardware has used their uniquely designed Clarendon space to host a variety of events: serving happy hour drinks, providing full dinner service, dishing up bottomless brunches on the weekends (they now open at 10:00am on weekends) and enlisting a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights for the weekend play-hards.
zWilson Hardware is also popular for private events, from small bridal showers to full venue buyouts hosting up to 300 people.
Faris’ Favorites
Wilson Hardware’s kitchen now serves meals for vegans and meat lovers, and everyone in between. Faris’ favorite meal? Their pan-seared Diver Scallops on a bed of cauliflower risotto.
Asked to highlight his favorite and most popular drinks, Faris names the “Screw Him:” a purple drink made with vodka, lychee, champagne, lemon and hibiscus.
Faris also mentions the tequila-based “Bright Idea,” a spectacular glowing drink for two. The “Bright Idea” comes in a light-bulb shaped glass plunged into a shimmering LED-illuminated ice bucket. Aperol, lime, grapefruit, strawberry and sparkling wine are among its insights.
After his trip to Wilson Hardware we asked Drew what stood out to him about the place. He said: “I frequent Wilson Hardware because I can bring all different types of clientele there and there’s something for everyone, from an intimate sit down dinner to an upbeat happy hour on the rooftop. They also offer a lot of unique cocktails that will impress your guests and your taste buds.”
Flying Colors is a sponsored column on the hobby of backyard bird feeding written by Michael Zuiker, owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited store at the Lee Harrison Shopping Center. Visit the store at 2437 N. Harrison Street or call 703-241-3988.
Ok, I have a confession to make. I like donuts. I like them a lot. In fact, I never met a donut I did not like.
Ok, there was that one donut in Nova Scotia, but just one. My doctor is not to happy with my love of donuts. It is not good for me and I know it. So, every day I eat a grapefruit to balance my diet.
Wild birds do not have my problem. Sure, we all used to think that birds love bagels and stale bread and donuts. But they really don’t! They eat and need to eat natural foods to survive and thrive.
This is an on-going annual requirement for the birds. So, for 27 years we have been educating our customers about the seed’s birds need and the best variety to give them.
Sure, you see birds eating that off brand of bird seed full of millet, cracked corn and milo. But they are not the birds you want; english sparrows, starlings and grackles. That is also not the seed you want to feed them. milo, flax, rape seed and wheat are all filler seeds that most birds will not eat.
Good quality seed blends are full of black oil, safflower, peanuts and sun chips. Those types of blends have tons and tons of high fat foods for the birds. They use that fat for energy during the day and for creating warmth at night. Not only that, but you will get the birds you want; cardinals, chickadees, wrens and woodpeckers to name just a few.
Do you go in the grocery store to buy food and check the ingredients on the back? You know that the first ingredient is the number one thing in that the package. So, if you buy a bag of bird seed and the first ingredient is millet, that’s what makes up most of the bag.
Would you want to eat a whole bag of high fructose corn syrup? I don’t. Neither do the birds.
This is what makes our seed blends different. We can guarantee you that you will get beautiful backyard birds with our seed blends. Stop in and check out the first ingredient on our seed blend bags. You will see that most of them are sun chips, black oil and peanut pieces.
Now you might be the person sitting there saying well, yeah, but I can get seed blends in another store too. Sure, you absolutely can; but we can promise you that ours is fresher.
We receive our seed once a week, and we guarantee it is fresh. Our WBU seed blends have a higher fat content than other store brands. This gives the birds that extra fat they need for the upcoming winter. It is also 99% clean from sticks and stems.
So, don’t buy the donut, I mean that yucky millet brand bird seed blend. Buy the grapefruit and the Good WBU Bird Blends. Your birds will thank you!
Come take the Bird Seed Challenge with us. Stop in and grab a 2 lb. bag of Choice Blend at no cost to you. It’s free! Take the challenge and try us out, you won’t be disappointed!
Title insurance is boring, but Allied Title & Escrow is here to decode the jargon and make it (somewhat) more interesting. This biweekly column will explore the mundane (but very necessary!) world of title insurance while sharing interesting stories of two friends’ entrepreneurial careers.
We’ve decided to shoot a video this week and provide you the top 3 reasons why you should buy an owner’s title policy when buying a home. With that said the video shoot didn’t go as smoothly as we wanted.
Our CEO, Latane Meade, failed miserably with his video shoot, which you can see below;
Luckily our President, Matt Paulson, stepped in to provide you 3 great reasons on why you should get an owner’s policy. Enjoy!
Have questions related to title insurance? Email Latane and Matt at [email protected]. Want to use Allied Title & Escrow when you buy a home? Tell your agent when you buy a house to write in Allied Title & Escrow as your settlement company!
This column is written and sponsored by Arlington Arts / Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.
Arlington-based non-profit arts organizations and individual artists, mark your calendars: the FY 2020 Arlington Arts Grants application cycle is about to begin, starting with workshops throughout the month of November to help you put your best foot forward.
In discussing Arlington Cultural Affairs Division’s work earlier this year, WTOP 103.5 FM observed that “Arlington has spawned some of the D.C. area’s most creative and forward-thinking attitudes toward art projects for the past four decades, ranging from music, to community sculpture, to providing creative workspaces for artists.” Central to this growth has been the Arlington Arts Grants Program.
Administered by the Arlington Commission for the Arts, the Cultural Affairs Division’s Arlington Arts Grants Program artists and arts organizations in establishing and maintaining artistic and cultural programs in the County. We do this by providing facilities, financial and technical support; developing a broad base of financial and community support; and enhancing their artistic, technical and managerial competence.
Additional resources available to Arlington Cultural Affairs Division grantees range from discounted access to the Arlington CostumeLab with a 20,000-piece costume library, sewing machines and a dye vat, to the Arlington Scene Shop outfitted with the tools and space necessary to build sets.
All organizations and individuals planning to apply for an FY 2020 grant must register and attend one of the following workshops (click on the date to register via Eventbrite):
Workshops for Organizations
Workshops for Individuals
Last year, there were 43 grant applications requesting County support in Fiscal Year 2019. Of the 26 requests for financial support, 15 were from non-profit arts organizations and 11 were from individual artists. Twelve organizations requested performance/rehearsal space and technical services in addition to financial support, and five organizations requested performance/rehearsal space only. Submissions are reviewed by panels of arts experts and committees of Arts Commissioners.
Visit this link on the Arlington Arts website for deadlines and detailed information about the FY 2020 Arlington Arts Grants!
