Archive for the 'Life in the District' Category
Happy 4th of July!
July 3rd, 2008 Categories: Life in the District, The Road Less Taken
There’s always something fun about this holiday. If you are planning to go down to the Mall to see the fireworks– they don’t start until 9:15pm. But there is tons of things to do while you’re waiting. Click here to find some great viewing spots. And don’t forget– there is no parking allowed this year on the shoulder of the George Washington Parkway!
If you’re like me and don’t like the crowds– look through this list for a local fireworks display in your neighborhood. From Arlington to Leesburg– just about every local area will have an event. You folks in Vienna will have to be happy with a laser display after last year’s accident.
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Honor The National Moment of Silence - Memorial Day 2008 3PM
May 25th, 2008 Categories: Life in the District, The Native Tourist, The Road Less Taken
Growing up, Memorial Day didn’t mean much more than the day the beaches opened. After living in the DC area for the past 20 years, you can’t help but learn the true meaning of Memorial Day. Going back as far as the Civil War, we have been remembering those whose lives were taken for the sake of our freedom.
We here in DC are surronded by memorials and events that remind us just how much people have given to keep this country free. Rolling Thunder, the dedication of the WWII Memorial, the Iwo Jima Memorial just to name a few of the things in this town that make you think.
So, as you are getting ready to enjoy your extra day off, whether at the beach or a BBQ– stop whatever you are doing at 3pm today– Memorial Day and say thank you and remember.
These are just a few of the events I’ve attended over the past 20 years– all in my own backyard.
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A Snowy Georgetown and Arlington
January 19th, 2008 Categories: Around Arlington County, Life in the District, Rossyln, The Native Tourist, The Road Less Taken
We had some snow here in the DC area yesterday. It was a nice snow until it turned to sleet and a rainy mist by the evening.
I was lucky enough to have an early appointment in Georgetown. So I took some pictures in Georgetown and on my way to my second appointment out in Fairfax, I stopped by the Iwo Jima Memorial and enjoyed some of the snow covered trees. We really had a white out- but not a lot of snow. Only a few inches-which, if you grew up north of here isn’t a lot and if you grew up south of here is enough to stop everything.
With some warmer temperatures today, most of the snow melted. It’s the best kind of snow– the snow that doesn’t stay around long.
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It’s 2008: What Are Your Plans?
January 7th, 2008 Categories: Around Arlington County, Around the City of Alexandria, Buyers, Life in the District, Outside The Beltway, The Road Less Taken
The first week of 2008 has come and gone and I find myself busy with work. Which surprises me because it’s Janaury for gosh sakes. No one likes to buy real estate in January. But that’s really not what’s happening. There are people out there buying real estate. I think it’s smart to buy real estate in January in a cold state. Just like it’s good to buy real estate in August in Florida. Turns out there is little competition with other buyers.
Now, you might be thinking– what competition? There are no buyers out there anyway. Well– I have learned the secret rule of real estate: As soon as you want a property– so does someone else. If you are someone planning to buy real estate, don’t wait forever: there are other buyers out there.
I don’t know what is going to happen in the DC real estate market in 2008. I can only speculate. But as someone who works in the business everyday– I don’t see many changes in this market.
- Interest rates are still reasonably low: still around 6%
- Inventory of homes is good: there is a lot to chose from
- Sellers still want to sell their homes: people want to get on with their lives
So: what are your plans for your life in 2008? Is this the year you take that step to advance it? or is it just going to be more of the same. Come on, open the door to the rest of your life.
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Sean: We Hardly Knew Thee
November 27th, 2007 Categories: Life in the District, Outside The Beltway, The Road Less Taken
We here in Washington DC walk with a heavy heart today as we come to grips with losing one of our beloved Redskins– Sean Taylor. He was 24 years old.
The Redskins is Washington’s team. Win or lose we love them. While they are named the Washington Redskins, their training camp is in Ashburn, VA and they play at FedEx Stadium in Landover, MD. So they belong to all of us here in the metropolitan area. When we lose one of them- we have lost a family member.
We are sad not only because he was one of our Redskins- but because he had overcome a troubled youth and was on the road to becoming a great person first, a great football player second. He became a new father this year and that changed everything for him. He was having his best year professionally and truly a fan favorite.
He was out with a knee injury which is the only reason he was at his home in Miami and not with the team. His home had been broken into last week and he asked permission from Coach Gibbs to miss the team meeting on Monday to be at home. That visit turned tragic early Monday morning when it appears that the intruder returned – with a gun.
Last night the fans held a vigil at Redskins Park. We went to sleep last night with some hope as the 11 o’clock news reported that Sean had squeezed the hand of one of his nurses and opened his eyes. We are all shocked and saddened this morning with the news.
The fans are back at the Redskins training camp to pay respect as the team struggles with the loss of Sean.
There are plans for another vigil tonight at Redskins Park, and the Redskins organization has yet-to-be-announced-plans for this home game this weekend.
As we grieve the loss of Sean, here are some fan videos as we celebrate his life and career.
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Thank A Vet Today
November 10th, 2007 Categories: Blue Plate Specials, Life in the District, The Native Tourist, The Road Less Taken
Sunday is Veteran’s Day. It’s a big get-away weekend here in DC with many people taking advantage of a long weekend.
But please, don’t forget to thank a Vet today. They’ve given up so much for us.
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Ride Your Bike To Work? Let Arlington Light the Way
November 3rd, 2007 Categories: Around Arlington County, Blue Plate Specials, Columbia Pike, Commuting, Going Green, Life in the District
Most people don’t realize that one of the Arlington County Board members rides his bike to work. This contributes to Arlington’s dedication to it’s bike paths and general bike safety.
In an effort to promote safe bike riding commuting after the end of daylight-saving time & darker evening commutes, Arlington County through it’s BikeArlington program and the Arlington County Police will give out and install free front and rear bicycle lights for local bikers riding without lights on their bicycles. This event will take place for one day only on Monday, November 5, 2007– don’t let it slip by.
Here is the important information:
WHAT: Arlington County’s award-winning BikeArlington program and the Arlington County Police Department will give out and install free bicycle lights for the first 75 local cyclists, instead of ticketing those without lights– which, by the way is required by Virginia law.
WHO: Local bicycle commuters, BikeArlington Staff, Arlington County Police
WHEN: Monday, November 5, 2007, 5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
WHERE:Â Washington & Old Dominion Trail at Columbia Pike, Arlington, Virginia
Read the full press release here.
The event is accessible via bicycle from the Washington & Old Dominion Trail and Columbia Pike. The event can also be reached by motor vehicle via Columbia Pike.
Arlington County Commuter Services created the BikeArlington program to promote more cycling, more often throughout the County. Visit www.BikeArlington.com for bicycling information including, maps, commuting tips, and safety tips.
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