feature

Healthy Paws: Safe Disposal of Medicines and Preventing Environmental Contamination

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Editor’s Note: Healthy Paws is a column sponsored and written by the owners of Clarendon Animal Care, a full-service, general practice veterinary clinic and winner of a 2017 Arlington Chamber of Commerce Best Business Award. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

While research continues, it is becoming clear that chemical pollutants are impacting animal health, human health and the environment.

Human-made chemicals flow into streams and waterways where it comes into contact with wildlife. Wildlife interacts with these products in unpredictable ways. Pharmaceuticals are in the mix of contaminants arriving from various places like wastewater treatment plants, drains of manure fertilized fields, washed off livestock farms, landfills and septic systems.

Any household or farm product has the potential to become an environmental contaminant. One of the largest concerns is also the easiest to source and reduce, unused drugs that are flushed down the drain.

The pollutants are dangerous to fish, insects and other life with the potential to kill, prevent reproduction, change behavior or alter appearances.

Potential human health concerns are unknown because the pharmaceutical dosage in waterways is low. However, research shows that antimicrobial concentrations in wastewater may be high enough to create selection pressure and harm beneficial microbes.

Antibiotic resistance is also a big concern. Thousands of pharmaceutical compounds, including animal-use drugs, are used in the U.S.

Along with current research and studying the ability of wastewater treatment plants to remove pharmaceuticals, we as veterinarians and clients of veterinarians have a role and responsibility to dispose of unused drugs properly to reduce the risk of environmental contamination as much as possible.

The AVMA and FDA have developed guidance on how to get rid of unwanted drugs. The best choices for disposal of unused or expired medications are the following:

  • Medicine take-back options
  • Disposal in the household trash
  • Flushing certain potentially dangerous medicines in the toilet

For more information on these options, what is available in your area, and the potential environmental impact of flushing medicines please visit this FDA web-site.

The Chew: Fall Treats for Your Furry Friends

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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

by Chelsea Pennington, Bark + Boarding Writer and Animal Enthusiast

For us humans, the coming of fall means sweet treats like pumpkin spice everything and Halloween candy. But our pets shouldn’t miss out on the fun! We’ve rounded up a couple fall treats for your furry friends that are tasty and healthy.

Pumpkin Apple Dog Treats

Nothing says fall like going to an apple orchard or pumpkin patch. Try this recipe that uses both of these favorite fall flavors. Not only will your dog love the taste, it’s also good for them. Pumpkin can be used to settle an upset stomach, and apples are a good source of fiber and vitamins A and C.

Ingredients:

4-4.5 cups oats plus additional
1 medium apple
1 egg
1 cup canned pumpkin
Cookie cutter in the shape of your choice

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400ºF.
  2. Grind oats in a food processor or blender. Transfer to mixing bowl.
  3. Core apple, being sure to remove all of the seeds. Grate apple, and add to bowl with oatmeal.
  4. Add egg and canned pumpkin to bowl and mix well. The mixture will be thick and slightly sticky.
  5. On a surface dusted with oats roll the dough out to approximately 1/2″ thick. Cut with cookie cutter and transfer to a lined baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden and crispy. Cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Of course, dogs shouldn’t be the only ones to enjoy some homemade treats. Try out this simple and healthy recipe for your cat as well!

Salmon Cat Treats

These treats use only three ingredients and are super easy to make, while also being packed full of protein to keep your kitty full, healthy and happy.

Ingredients:

10 oz canned salmon, undrained (can substitute canned chicken or tuna)
1 egg beaten
2 cups whole wheat flour
Cookie cutters in the shape of your choice!

Instructions:

  1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Pulse 10 oz. canned salmon (undrained) in a food processor or chop as finely as possible.
  2. In a stand mixer, combine salmon, 1 egg (beaten) and 2 cups whole wheat flour until dough forms. If dough is too dry, add up to 1/3 cup water. If dough is too wet or sticky, add a bit more flour. Dough should be tacky but not sticky.
  3. Roll out dough on a floured surface until about 1/4 inch thick. Use the cookie cutter to create shapes like pumpkins and leaves, if you want to keep them fall themed.
  4. Place treats on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350ºF for about 20 minutes. When they’re slightly browned and crunchy, they’re done.
  5. Allow to cool before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

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.

Flying Colors: Hurricanes and Birds

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Flying Colors column banner

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.

We all know how intense the weather has been this summer. All the hot days. All the rain and flooding. And the dominating weather story for the past 7 days of Hurricane Florence has everyone monitoring their news feeds. I have a sister in South Carolina and nephews in North Carolina.

Nature will always remember who is in charge when weather events like this occur.

With warnings and advice and preparations, we can insulate our lives, to the best of our abilities to protect ourselves. What happens to wildlife though? Especially birds when these events occur.

Our chief naturalist for Wild Birds Unlimited pulled together some fascinating facts about what birds do to survive.

Bird Behavior and Responses to Hurricane Events

  • Birds and hurricanes have coexisted for ages, and birds have developed many strategies to survive and rebound from the effects of these natural disasters.
  • Birds are sensitive to barometric pressure, so they can sense when a major storm is on the way.
  • In response to an approaching hurricane, some birds will migrate earlier than they normally would. Research has found that sparrows speed up their fall departure in response to falling barometric pressures.
  • Some migrating birds move toward the eye of the hurricane, staying in this calmer area until the hurricane dissipates. They often end up hundreds of miles away from their normal migration route.
  • Birds that don’t migrate often shelter in place, trying to find cover wherever they can. Many non-migratory birds seek shelter inside thick bushes or on the leeward side of trees.
  • Cavity roosting birds, such as woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches may seek shelter in their nest or roosting cavities, and some will seek out man-made nest boxes.
  • Research (although limited) seems to show that most land birds weather hurricanes well if they can find appropriate cover.
  • The most direct impact of hurricanes that occur during the storm are most evident in seabirds. The indirect effects, which occur in the storm’s aftermath due to damage to the habitat, are most evident in land birds.
  • Hurricanes dramatically affect birds’ natural habitat and food sources, which can put pressure on already stressed species.
  • A major threat to bird survival is the vegetation damage caused by hurricanes and some birds may perish since the local habitats no longer provide the food they need.
  • Due to the lack of food resources, some birds may disperse in search of more suitable habitat and others will seek out artificial sources of food.
  • Migrating hummingbirds are known to swarm nectar feeders in hurricane ravaged areas where natural nectar plants have been destroyed.
  • Population declines of land birds are often related to their diet and the loss of food resources. Fruit, seed and nectar feeding birds struggle the most with the loss of habit, while insect eating birds and birds of prey are less effected by the storms impact.
  • Providing supplemental bird foods, fresh water and shelter are very important actions to take to help the bird population in your area after a hurricane.

This hurricane will most likely stop some of the bird migration heading south. At least in the short term.

Take some time to be outdoors and watch and listen for the songs and sounds of the warblers, vireos, thrushes and other migrating birds. There is a unique occurrence that happens at times when extreme weather events prevent birds from moving.

These “fallouts” happen with thousands of birds getting out of unfavorable wind and rain conditions and settling in habitat to wait. If you time it right, you can experience a spectacular viewing of many different species of rarely seen migratory birds.

Hurricane Florence is setting up this scenario. Try to get out this weekend to a park or field with your binoculars and cameras.

Be safe.

Save The Date: Saturday, September 29, we will be celebrating our 27th anniversary with a great party and sale. Visit our website for details on all the party happenings.

Boring Title: Tips for Minimizing Hurricane Damage and a Hurricane Party

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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.

Today we will provide tips on minimizing potential damage from hurricanes. Florence is looking to slow down a bit but the season is long and you should be prepared on how to best protect your home.

Hurricane Party this Saturday

Expecting a boring weekend because of all the rain from Hurricane Florence? Come join us at Port City Brewery in Alexandria (3950 Wheeler Avenue) from 12-1:30 p.m. this Saturday for free drinks and food to learn about the process of buying or selling a home.

We will have Melody Abella from Sotheby’s and Ru Toyama from Monument Home Loans to answer any and all questions. You can RSVP for free by clicking here!

Back to minimizing that hurricane damage! Here are the top tips we could gather:

  1. Clean Out your Gutters — Gutters that are backed up with sticks and leaves can cause unexpected leaks… in fact I had this issue 2 months ago in the heavy rains even though I never had leak issues in the past.
  2. Move Your Valuables — Move valuable items that are prone to water damage off the floors to somewhere elevated in case flooding occurs. If your home has a flood history, move any items out of the “flood zone.”
  3. Protect Your Appliances and Electronics — Turn off and unplug any electronics which are not needed (computers, modem, speakers, etc.) If you do not want to unplug these items, at least make sure they are connected to a surge protector.
  4. Document Your Belongings — Whether it be a list on paper, or photos (better for insurance purposes), make sure you know what you own. In the event your home and/or belongings get damaged you have them on record instead of trying to remember what you had after the fact.
  5. Know Your Escape Route — Make sure you know the best way out of the house in the event your house has severe flooding. At the end of the day, no belonging is worth putting your life at risk.

Title Tip of the Week

How often do you have to pay for title insurance? You pay only one time at closing. How long does the policy last? The title insurance policy not only lasts for as long as you own the home, but as long as your heirs own the home.

When you compare the costs to life insurance or car insurance, title insurance is a affordable way to protect what is likely your largest investment of your lifetime!

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!

Arts Focus: The Science, Data and Inspiration of Creative Genius

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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.

Creativity drives business innovation and growth. But is it reserved for the lucky few?

In the latest of the Return on Creativity series on October 2, hear Allen Gannett, author of The Creative Curve and Ben Rubin, Director of the Center For Data Arts talk about maximizing the discovery and application of creativity.

Big data entrepreneur Allen Gannett, author of The Creative Curve, overturns the mythology around creative genius, and reveals the science and secrets behind achieving breakout commercial success in any field.
 
We have been spoon-fed the notion that creativity is the province of genius — of those favored, brilliant few whose moments of insight arrive in unpredictable flashes of divine inspiration. And if we are not a genius, we might as well pack it in and give up. Either we have that gift, or we don’t.

But Allen shows that simply isn’t true. Recent research has shown that there is a predictable science behind achieving commercial success in any creative endeavor, from writing a popular novel to starting up a successful company to creating an effective marketing campaign.

Artist and designer Ben Rubin is the Director of the Center for Data Arts at the New School in New York and knows a lot about applying data to creative output. Rubin engages with social, cultural and environmental data to create large scale media installations and performance designs.

His work has been presented at the Whitney, MoMA, the Science Museum, London and he has been commissioned to create permanent installations for the Public Theater, The New York Times Building, Brookfield Place, Calgary among others.

Rubin’s groundbreaking projection design for Arguendo, a play by Elevator Repair Service that played at Woolly Mammoth theater and earned him an Obie Award in 2014.

October 2, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Marymount University, Ballston campus
Free event, registration is required

Ask Eli: Buying Your Rental/Selling to Your Tenant

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Question: I am interested in purchasing the condo I currently rent and my landlord is interested in selling, but that’s as far as we’ve gotten. Do we need an agent for the transaction? Is there anything unique about this type of transaction we should be aware of?

Answer: The sale of a rental property to a tenant is usually a dream scenario for both parties, each realizing financial benefits and simplifying an often-difficult process. The transaction reflects a normal sale except that the buyer and seller have a direct relationship which usually is not the case. Thus the question — should you use an agent?

I’m going to take a wild guess and assume most of you reading this are thinking “No way! If you don’t need somebody to open a door, you don’t need an agent.”

Yes, part of an agent’s role in a sale between tenant and landlord is not necessary — the buyer doesn’t need help defining criteria or accessing properties and the seller doesn’t need help preparing the property for market and marketing it. Yes, two parties can enter into a contract to sell property without an agent and just hire a title attorney to handle the legal transfer.

However, I would encourage you to consider some questions/scenarios when you’re deciding whether or not to use an agent for the direct sale of a rental to a tenant:

Market Value

This is the most obvious and common request for an agent to be involved in a direct rental sale. Are both parties comfortable discussing what they believe fair market value is and negotiating the right price? Some people are perfectly comfortable with these conversations, while others would rather it be handled by a 3rd party.

Contract & Transactional Support

Our contracts are the result of decades of transaction history. They exist to provide protections to both buyer and seller and define rules in the event something doesn’t go as planned. You should consider whether or not you want the services of a professional to set-up the contracts in a way that protects your interests.

Think of this as an insurance policy on the transaction — if everything goes perfectly, a simple contract works just fine, but as soon as something (or somebody) derails, you want the right contract language in place and somebody to advise on best practices.

Representation

In Virginia, you have the option of each party being individually represented, whereby the agent has fiduciary responsibility to represent the sole interests of the party they work for or an agent can act as a Dual Representative, whereby the agent acts more like an unbiased facilitator/mediator of the transaction.

It is also worth noting that while one party may seek representation, the other party may choose to be unrepresented.

Commission/Payment

In a traditional home sale, the seller pays the commission of their agent and the agent who represents the buyer. However, in a direct rental sale, it’s my opinion that this is much more negotiable and ultimately gets built into the structure of the deal.

For example, if the seller chooses to be unrepresented and the buyer chooses to hire an agent, the buyer should bear the cost of said representation directly or within the terms of the deal.

It is also worth noting that, like any professional service, the cost of the representation is negotiated between the hiring party/parties and the agent.

Rental Agreement

Landlords and tenants should review the terms of the agreements they signed, if applicable, with the agent they used when they rented the subject property.

There are terms in many agreements that require a commission payment to the previous agent/broker if the property is sold during the tenancy. If you’ve already agreed to pay a commission in the event of a sale, you might as well utilize their services in the deal as well.

There is not one set answer to whether you should use an agent for your direct rental sale, but it’s important for both parties to understand their options for representation and what they are giving up or gaining by their decision. A direct sale changes the role an agent plays in a transaction, but it doesn’t eliminate it. In many cases, the negotiation and contract-to-close services are the most important role an agent will play.

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column, please send an email to [email protected]. To read any of my older posts, visit the blog section of my website at www.EliResidential.com. Call me directly at (703) 539-2529.

Eli Tucker is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with Real Living At Home, 2420 Wilson Blvd #101 Arlington, VA 22201, (202) 518-8781.

Legal Insider: Elon Musk’s Use of Marijuana Raises Question of Whether Clearance Rules Apply Equally to All

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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.

Billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk, was recently videotaped smoking marijuana on the Joe Rogan talk show. According to reports, Mr. Musk holds a security clearance as part of his CEO role at SpaceX, a major government space contractor.

As a result, news reports first indicated that the U.S. Air Force has started an investigation into Mr. Musk’s alleged drug usage due to his holding of a security clearance.

Later, news reports indicated that there was not necessarily an investigation but that the U.S. Air Force was attempting to evaluate what to do about the issue. The question is whether or not the same rules governing every other clearance holder involving drug usage will apply to Mr. Musk if he did smoke marijuana.

My suspicion is that the answer will be no.

We often represent and defend individuals who have engaged in one-time or other minor illegal drug use (yes, the federal government still considers marijuana an illegal drug no matter where it is consumed).

Many individuals who engage in minor drug use may still lose their security clearance over even one usage, depending on the circumstances. The ultimate result will likely highlight the distinction between high level individuals and other clearance holders (the other 99%).

This sort of double standard was recently seen at the White House where the President’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, apparently had so many foreign contacts that he had to amend his clearance submission (SF-86) multiple times (something that isn’t usually permitted for others).

The type of contacts that Mr. Kushner admitted to having, if they had involved just about anyone else, would have barred them from obtaining a security clearance.

We often represent individuals from Pakistan, Egypt, India or Taiwan, where having just a few relatives from their home country, or owning small amounts of property in that country can disqualify them from holding a security clearance.

It seems that there are now two sets of rules for security clearance holders and applicants. Those that are important or well-connected and then the rules for the rest of us. I find this to be troubling and very wrong.

In a case like Mr. Musk, it might usually take a year or perhaps over a year, for a person to be able to mitigate having engaged in even a one-time drug use issue. The point of having a system for adjudicating security clearances is to have ensure that everyone, a billionaire, the son-in-law of the President of the United States and Jim Jones (a GS-13 civilian employee for the Department of the Army) all live by the same rules.

Hopefully, the next President will see fit to take action in order to make the security clearance rules apply equally to all of us regardless of wealth or position.

We represent federal employees and government contractors in security clearance cases. 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.

Rethink Energy: Free Energy Saving Kit

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/5

This regularly-scheduled sponsored column is written by the Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy team (AIRE). This county program helps you make smart energy decisions that save you money and leaves a lighter footprint on the environment.

When we spot a great opportunity for Arlingtonians to save energy, we share it.

Washington Gas has an Online Home Energy Profile tool. The tool will give you an energy ranking, savings estimate and upgrade recommendations that make the most sense for your home. It takes less than five minutes.

Above all, if you are a Washington Gas customer, you can submit your address and have a FREE energy conservation kit sent to your home.

Free Energy Kits Include:

  • A high-efficiency showerhead
  • A bathroom faucet aerator
  • Door sweep weather stripping
  • Roll closed cell foam weather strip

Sealing air leaks, lowering water and sewer bills and reducing the amount of hot water used at home for free is a no brainer. Don’t delay, get yours before they run out!

Washington Gas Online Home Energy Profile Tool

FREE Energy Conservation Kit

WWBG: Natural Wines

By ARLnow.com Sponsor


Editor’s Note: This biweekly column is sponsored by Dominion Wine and Beer (107 Rowell Court, Falls Church). It is written by Sarah Garratt, a wine and food pairing blogger. Follow her blog  or on Instagram @grapepairings.

Looking through a wine aisle or a wine list, you may have spotted the words “natural wine” on a bottle or description. Natural wines are becoming more and more prevalent in wine stores and restaurants, and it is important to know what “natural” really means in the wine world.

What is Natural Wine?

Natural wines are as pure, raw and bare bones as grapes and wine can be. They are unfiltered and made from all local grapes and yeasts. The grapes are typically grown by small and independent producers, and everything is done organically and sustainably.

During the winemaking process, nothing is added or taken away. This means no additives or preservatives. However, this also means that they can spoil quicker, as there is nothing to help them to age. Being unfiltered, many natural wines have a cloudy tint to them (coming from the yeasts) and can taste quite unique!

Is Natural Wine Healthier?

Not necessarily.

True, there are no added sulfites in natural wine. However, there is still no proven evidence that sulfites cause headaches, so that is not exactly a bad thing.

True also, natural wines are unfiltered and have no additives. However, this means that whatever bacteria or imperfections that were grown on the grapes of the natural wine have also been unfiltered and are in the final product.

It is also good to know that not all additives are bad for you! There are usually more harmful additives in the processed foods we eat than in the wine we drink! While not necessarily healthier than any other bottle of wine, natural wines are definitely a great way to try something new.

Three Wines to Try

Dominion Wine & Beer has some natural wines for you to try, three of which are featured today! All of them are unique, from smaller producers, and excellent to pair with food.

Let’s start with an Italian white wine, 2016 Montenidoli Vernaccia Di San Gimignano ($20). This Vernaccia has so many flavors going on! Each whiff of the wine brought out a different note. Smells and tastes of lemon, peach, camomile, yellow apple and freshly baked bread are all present in this white wine.

It is definitely a conversation starter! Being very full bodied for a white wine, oil or mayonnaise based salads would be excellent. Think tuna, chicken, bean, pasta or potato salads.

The 2017 Biha Andreas Vineyard Gewürztraminer ($20) is an orange wine from Oregon.

Don’t be fooled! There is no food coloring in this wine! While white wine is made from grapes without the skins on during fermentation, orange wine is made with white wine grapes and fermented in the skins. This gives the wine that orange color.

This gewürztraminer is bright orange, and full of honeysuckle and orange blossom notes. It has a long and acidic finish that would make it delicious with curry, chutney and hummus.

Not all natural wines are white. This 2015 Sono Montenidoli Il Garrulo Chianti Colli Senesi ($20) from Italy (same producer as the Vernaccia mentioned above) is a red wine with a gorgeous, garnet color.

Due to its medium tannins, this Chianti was made for pairing with tomato-based sauces, such as spaghetti with meatballs, pasta bolognese or lasagna.

Similar to the Vernaccia, the tasting profile is endless and has lots to offer. Flavors of violet, tobacco, spice, vanilla, cherry and stewed strawberries are all evenly balanced within the wine.

Do you like natural wines? Have you ever tried them? Curious to learn more? Stop by the shop and pick some up!

Small Biz Focus: Put Away Your Crystal Ball

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

By Tara Palacios

Entrepreneurship is tough.

Entrepreneurship is demanding.

Entrepreneurship is being present at the right time, and at the right place.

Why? Can’t you simply have a good idea and execute? Does entrepreneurship have to be tough, and demanding, and at the right time and place?

Well, an important reason why (and one not explained too often) is because you must be able to predict the future. Yes, your ability to invoke keen foresight is a key skill for an entrepreneur. However, don’t dust off the crystal ball yet.

As an entrepreneur, one must constantly be ahead of trends — whether it is the latest innovation, keeping up with your competition or knowing “exactly,” how the U.S. economy will respond to outside forces (i.e., think trade war). An entrepreneur must constantly be several steps ahead of the market to plan, to prepare, and to mitigate risk to succeed over time.

How does the overall U.S. economy impact the region? Will the trade war impact Arlington businesses, and if so in what way? Unemployment is at an all-time low — but does that mean many people are working? Or are individuals underemployed?

We hope to be able to help your crystal ball predict the future by bringing in experts who are looking at the current trends that may impact your business.

BizLaunch is pleased to announce with our partners the Arlington Community Federal Credit Union and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce our latest Brunch and Business: The 2018 Economy — Navigating Trade Wars and Discovering Business Opportunities.

Join us October 3 at SPACES The Artisphere as you hear from two experts in the field who will address this topic: GMU’s Director of the Center for Regional Analysis, Dr. Terry Clower, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Senior Director for International Policy, Kris Denzel will engage in a dynamic discussion of the 2018 economy and beyond.

The event is free and open to the public. We hope you will be able to join us!