Archive for October, 2008
2008 Leaf Collection Schedule and Service Areas for City of Alexandria
October 10th, 2008 Categories: Alexandria
Now that you know how to recycle your leaves, here is the 2008 Leaf Collection Schedule and map of the service areas for the City of Alexandria.
Please note, leaves must be raked out one day before the earliest collection day scheduled for your area. Crews make take two or more days to finish a collection area but they will only pass your address once during an assigned collection period.
Area I
- Rake Out Pick Up Starts
- Nov. 2 Nov. 3
- Nov. 18 Nov. 19
- Dec. 8 Dec. 9
Area II
- Rake Out Pick Up Starts
- Oct. 23 Oct. 24
- Nov. 10 Nov. 11
- Nov. 30 Dec. 1
Area III
- Rake Out Pick Up Starts
- Nov. 5 Nov. 6
- Nov. 23 Nov.24
- Dec. 14 Dec. 15
Area IV
- Rake Out Pick Up Starts
- Oct. 28 Oct. 29
- Nov. 13 Nov. 15
- Dec. 3 Dec.4
Area V
Downtown crews start on October 25 on the north side of Old Town and move toward the south side. Pickup for this area is to be repeated each week throughout the entire collection period.
Michael
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Three Ways to Recyle Leaves in the City of Alexandria
October 9th, 2008 Categories: Alexandria
We love the big leafy trees in our neighborhood. They add instant ‘curb appeal’; provide cover from the sun’s rays and help lower our air conditioning bills. But come fall, those beautiful leaves turn into another form of home maintenance. Fortunately the City of Alexandria offers three ways to recycle leaves.
I. Rake your leaves to the curbside for vacuum truck collection.
Proper preparation
- Remove stones, litter, branches or other debris.
- Avoid placing leaves in front of storm drains or water meter covers. Move parked cars off of leaf piles.
- Avoid using plastic bags – they will NOT be recycled through the leaf collection program
- Leaves must be visible at the curb of the street, not in alleys or service roads.
II. Place leaves in biodegradable bags for collection. Bags will be collected one business day after your regular refuse collection day. Collection will begin Oct. 28 and will finish January 3.
Proper Preparation
Use only biodegradable bags for leaves because they may be shredded and processed with leaves into mulch. Remove dirt, stones, litter and other debris from leaves before placing in bags. Click here for a list of locations to get your free biodegradable bags.
III. Compost leaves and yard waste. Composting takes advantage of nature’s recycling to make valuable organic supplements. Want to know more about composting? Call the Virginia Extension Service Office at 703.228.6400 or click here.
TOMORROW: LEAF COLLECTION SCHEDULE and MAP of SERVICE AREAS
Michael
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This Week’s Mortgage Update for Northern Virginia: Highly Volatile
October 7th, 2008 Categories: Mortgage Update
From our go to guy, Rob Clark at Preferred Mortgage:
“Attached is this week’s mortgage update. Rates last week continued to be highly volatile as the market reacted and then reacted again and again to the rescue/bailout plan that was ultimately passed on Friday. I expect continued volatility this week as the market digests what the plan really means long-term to the financial markets. The end result last week was the rates ended the week down and are presently at 5.875% with 0 points for a 30 yr fixed rate loan.”
Thanks again to Rob for a timely and balanced view.
Michael
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September Home Sales in Alexandria’s 22301 Zip Code
October 7th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News
There were 9 September home sales in zip code 22301 which encompasses the Alexandria neighborhoods of Rosemont and Del Ray. Median sales price was $558,000; median list price was $575,000 for a 1.92% differential. Median days on the market – 14.
This is a drop from the 15 homes that sold in August in 22301. In August the median sales price was $510,000 and the median list price was $525,000 for a 1.71% differential. Median days on the market – 17.
If you are interested in more information about any of these sales or about other properties in the neighborhood, call me at 703.927.4554.
Michael
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A Day in the Virginia Countryside – Part One
October 6th, 2008 Categories: Things to Do
Perfect October temperatures made this a weekend for doing and exploring. After taking in Arts on the Avenue on Saturday in Del Ray, we ventured down towards Orange, VA on Sunday for a day in the Virginia countryside. It was a lot to see and do so we’ve decided to divide our adventures into three separate posts. And now for part one:
Fall Fiber Festival
The 21st Annual Fall Fiber Festival “proposes to present a wholesome, fun event for the entire family and at the same time show the beauty of a little known industry . . . by presenting an educational display of sheep and fiber products, the public can develop their interest and skills in these areas . . . .”
Held on the outlying grounds of James Madison’s Montpelier since 1990, the festival is small, homey, easy to navigate and on a perfect fall day, an absolute delight. Just outside of Orange, VA on Rt. 20, it’s an easy two hour drive from Northern Virginia.
The animal exhibits, a hit with young and old, feature sheep, goats, alpacas and llama’s – all sources of fiber. In addition there are workshop tents (sheep to shawl), sheep shearing demonstrations and vendors selling an endless rainbow of material for knitters and weavers alike.
Llama
Family fun
Putting it to work
Food and drink are available on the grounds. Mark your 2009 calendar for October 3 & 4, you’ll be glad you did.
Michael
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Del Ray’s Arts on the Avenue – It was Picture Perfect!
October 4th, 2008 Categories: Del Ray
It was a picture perfect day today at the Arts on the Avenue festival with clear skies and temperatures in the low 70’s.
Mt. Vernon Avenue was jammed with artists selling everything from pottery to jewelry to original prints and exquisite handbags.
Local food offerings included crab cakes, barbecue, chicken curry, Asian stir fry, fresh lemonade, mac & cheese, tiramisu, and brats and sauerkraut. Oh, and did I mention the four musical venues?
and dogs . . .
and babies . . .
Patrice Valle Art
Mary Shaver and the Smokin’ Polecats – our new favorite group!
another fan of Mary’s
dancing, all the way home.
Just another Saturday, Del Ray style.
Michael and Virginia
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5 Great Reasons to Visit Del Ray in October
October 2nd, 2008 Categories: Del Ray, Things to Do
There are 5 great reasons to visit Del Ray this October. Of course, we live here everyday but we think its nice when the rest of the world drops by to see where, as the Del Ray Business Association likes to say “Main Street still exists.”
So, without further ado, our top 5 reasons to visit Del Ray in October:
1. ARTS ON THE AVENUE- A full scale arts festival along Mt. Vernon Ave. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 10:00am to 6:00pm. Artists of all kinds, homemade pie contest, kids activities, food, drink, etc.
2. Restaurants – Los Tios, Mancini’s, Fireflies***, Thai Peppers, La Strada and Cheestique to mention a few.
3. DEL RAY CHILI COOK OFF - Informal, lively, child friendly, neighbor centric. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25th, 4:00pm till . . . .
4. Shopping – Bungalow, Garden Contessa, A Show of Hands, Eight Hands Round , the Purple Goose and much, much more.
5. 12th ANNUAL DEL RAY HALLOWEEN PARADE - A true, home grown event, this parade features children, pets and strollers, all costumed for the occasion. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 2:00pm at Mt. Vernon and E. Bellefonte. Prizes, refreshments, goodie bags and games. Contact Gayle Reuter at 703.684.3535 for information. For more click here.
**** And a bonus! Fireflies is having its own “Bluegrass OktoberFest” on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4TH with brats on the grill and live music from 12-5.
We’ll be looking for you – and look here in days to come for photos of all these great events.
Michael
Chili Pepper images by Nareka
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