Archive for the 'Alexandria' Category
Bellies and Babies Consignment Boutique in Alexandria, VA
September 1st, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Del Ray
Bellies and Babies Consignment Boutique in Alexandria is open and ready for business.
Occupying what was a former hardware store in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, specialty boutique Bellies and Babies is the creative genius of Dawn Luepke.
Dawn Luepke
Dawn, like many of our local entrepreneurs, was a Capitol Hill staffer before moving to HUD as a project manager.
Marriage, to event planner Tim Luepke, and two children – a boy and girls 15 months apart – meant a lot of maternity clothes and a lot of baby clothes.
Not surprisingly it was also time to consider a career change – all of which culminated in the idea for a great new business.
1913 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Located in the heart of Del Ray at 1913 Mt. Vernon Avenue, in a two story bungalow, the property is a perfect setting for Bellies and Babies Consignment Boutique.
A parking lot right next door and a fenced yard makes this destination easy and safe. Just look for the light green house at the corner of Mt. Vernon and East Howell.
Once inside, cool blue walls and crisp white trim invoke an instant calm. A hand painted mural anchors a back wall and a fireplace and hardwood floors add to the feeling of being in someone’s home.
The idea behind Bellies and Babies is two fold. In the downstairs area Dawn is offering select high end baby items at deeply discounted prices along with items made by local artists. Think cloth diapers, onesies, knit booties, changing pads, tutu’s, etc.
Upstairs, Bellies and Babies has consignment items in three distinct rooms – Moms (maternity clothes), girls, and boys. Both the boys and girls rooms have play areas and a second floor bathroom has a changing table and potty seats.
In the Moms space there is a dressing room and a large full length mirror. The bonus here is that Dawn is also offering high end maternity rentals for special occasions. What mother-to-be isn’t going to love this!
And the consignment items are fabulous – with some carrying original price tags. There are also some furniture pieces including a miniature club chair and rug that almost left with me.
It’s not hard to believe that Dawn was a project manager. In addition to the physical store, Bellies and Babies Consignment Boutique offers an online search capability through their Web site and inventory (especially consignments) is updated daily. A Facebook page makes updates and news about special events a snap.
We love the concept, the setting is comfortable, and the clothes are wonderful. But most of all, we love the personality and warmth that Dawn and her husband have brought to this very special business.
We know that you are going to love it too. Stop by and visit or give them a call at 703.518.8908.
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Planting Trees with the City of Alexandria
August 31st, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Real Estate News
Are you new to the City of Alexandria? Did your street lose trees during the August 5th storm? Do you just want more trees on your block?
The you need to meet John Noelle. John is the arborist for the City of Alexandria and is in charge of planting trees throughout the city.
Of course he’s responsible for a lot more than just planting trees but it’s a good place to start.
We met John last night at a gathering of neighbors in Del Ray. Fox Vernon, local musician and blogger, organized the meeting and arranged for John to be with us.
There were several things we learned:
- only ornamental trees (crape myrtle, red bud, ivory silk tree lilac, etc.) can be planted below power lines,
- medium shade trees (Honeylocust, Goldenrain tree, Kentucky coffee tree, Chinese pistach, etc.) can be planted in areas without power lines,
- there is approximately 36″ of planting space between the curb and sidewalk,
- homeowners can request a particular kind of tree (within reason),
- the city is happy to buy and plant the trees but needs ‘good neighbors’ to water,
- the city will provide ‘gator bags’ to facilitate watering.
If you would like to know more about planting trees with the City of Alexandria, contact John online at the City of Alexandria Website or at his office, 703.746.5499.
Michael
Related stories:
17,000 Trees Damaged in Alexandria from Freak Thunderstorm
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Moon Over Alexandria
August 26th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Whatever
- Moon Over Alexandria
We were out visiting friends and as we headed home from Vienna this brilliant moon lead the way.
A photograph doesn’t even begin to do it justice.
Michael
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Alexandria City Public School Registration Fall 2010
August 17th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Real Estate News
Alexandria City Public School Registration Information for Fall 2010.
September is almost upon us and that means school will be starting in the Alexandria City Public School system.
When to Register:
To register for kindergarten a child must be five years old on or before September 30 and must meet all documentation and health requirements.
If an eligible child is NOT registered for kindergarten, you must contact the school system in writing.
Parent of first graders should follow the same procedures for kindergarten.
Students transferring to Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) from other school districts school enroll as soon as moving to Alexandria – this is an on-going process.
When registering, parents or guardians must have two documents to prove residency like a rent receipt, lease agreement, current utility or land line phone bill or a personal property tax receipt.
Where to Register:
If the student speaks English and was born in the United States, registration takes place at your home school.
If the student is not a United States citizen or requires ESL services, you must register through the ESL office.
Questions:
What school serves my neighborhood?
What are the bus routes?
How can parents be involved?
Where can I find more information?
Moving to Alexandria or need to change school districts? Call me at 703.927.4554 and let’s get you and your family settled.
Michael
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Jim Morrison of the Doors Lived HERE in Alexandria
August 13th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Real Estate News
Did you know that Jim Morrison of the Doors lived HERE in Alexandria?
Jim Morrison lived here while attending GW High School (now GW Middle School) on Mt. Vernon Avenue in Del Ray
I promised not to divulge the exact address but let’s just say it is in a lovely neighborhood off Russell Road.
And now, for classic Jim Morrison and the Doors -
On a personal note – my lovely wife met Morrison back in the late 60’s and, although he was in head to toe black leather, she did not take him up on his offer of a backstage pass!
Michael
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Alexandria Restaurant Week, August 20-29, 2010
August 11th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Del Ray, Things to Do
Alexandria will kick off Restaurant Week, August 20-29, 2010. More than 60 restaurants, bars and coffee shops will take part in this annual summer eating extravaganza.
There are three categories of participation -
- a $35 Prix-Fixe Three Course Dinner
- a $35 Dinner for Two and
- $3.50 Sweet Treats.
Participating restaurants are located all over Alexandria, from Mango Mike’s in the West End to the Union Street Public House on the riverfront in Old Town Alexandria to La Strada in our Del Ray neighborhood.
Also in Del Ray are sweet treat favorites, ACKC Coca Bar and the Dairy Godmother.
For a complete list of restaurants and menus, click here. Make your reservations on line and enjoy a special night out with Alexandria Restaurant Week, August 20-29.
Michael
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VIRGINIA – Our Most Historically Significant State
August 10th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Real Estate News
Ted Landphair is a long time Voice of America reporter and essayist. He also has a blog called Ted Landphair’s America and he writes about the thousands of places he has visited in this wonderful country of ours.
The Latin motto meaning “Thus Always to Tyrants!” — the same words spoken by John Wilkes Booth after he fatally shot President Abraham Lincoln — appears on the Virginia flag, in which the goddess Virtus (Virtue) subdues a Tyrant.
Today I was lucky enough to stumble across a recent piece in which he notes that VIRGINIA is perhaps our most historically significant state.”
“Not only an incubator of American independence and the cradle of American presidents — eight of them — but also the scene of ferocious, climactic battles of our great civil war.”
Ted’s look at Virginia Byways and Pieways is a rambling, slightly sardonic and always loving look at the the Commonwealth with tidbits like ” They (Virginian’s) are a rather refined lot . . . some Virginia men — mostly lawyers, of which there is an abundance — still wear white or seersucker suits and bow ties.” To which I say, what’s wrong with that!
In another piece called the Old Dominion, Ted takes on Alexandria, Centreville and some Civil War History. Both pieces are a joy to read, with some lovely photographs. But, for me, the real pleasure is in listening to the podcasts.
Enjoy.
Michael
The meaning of the motto on the Virginia flag, courtesy of Ted Landphair.
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Thank You Dominion Power!
August 8th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria
Thank you Dominion Power! It’s easy to complain about clogged phone lines, insufficient information and not having power restored instantly.
But, from what we saw, the City of Alexandria and Dominion Power have worked around the clock to get the city up and running.
In fact, Dominion Power has some 125+ trucks and more than 500 employees working in 12 hr. shifts. The City is working in 12 hr. shifts too and has brought in private contractors from West Virginia and Pennsylvania to help.
Considering the damage, we have to agree with this sign posted by one family on East Howell – Thank you Dominion Power.
Michael
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17,000 Trees Damaged in Alexandria from Freak Thunderstorm
August 6th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Del Ray
The City of Alexandria has announced that some 17,000 trees were damaged in Alexandria in a freak thunderstorm that roared through the area late Thursday afternoon.
A majority of that damage was in the Del Ray, Rosemont and Beverley Hills neighborhoods.
We were lucky. Several large limbs crashed into our yard from a neighbor’s tree and we lost electricity but otherwise our particular block of East Howell was relatively unscathed.
Our back yard
The scene just one block down and then one block over was quite different.
Howell Avenue
Trees uprooted concrete sidewalks, brought down power lines and crashed through roofs.
Windsor Avenue
Windsor Avenue
Custis Avenue
For more pictures, click here.
Michael
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Create A National Night Out Event in Your Neighborhood on August 3
July 27th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Things to Do
Why not create a National Night Out Event in Your Neighborhood on August 3? National Night Out was originally created to combat drug and crime prevention and to foster better citizen/police relationships.
All those things are still true – and still the mission of the organization – but in our neighborhood it has developed into a much anticipated community event. The entire block takes part – from getting city permits to block off the street, to pitching tents against the heat, pulling out coolers and cookers, setting up tables and chairs and, perhaps the most important part, contributing to a giant pot luck dinner.
In fact, our block is so well known for it’s good food – particularly the fried fish – that we routinely get visits from the mayor, the mounted police, the entire squadron of motorcycle police, the special forces unit, the sheriff, etc. etc.
It’s a great opportunity to meet individual members of the force and to thank them for all they do. In turn, the kids pat the horses, sit on the motorcycles and climb all over the amored vehicles.
It’s not hard to get started and the National Night Out site has lots of great ideas. If you’re new to your area it’s also just the best way to meet your neighbors.
For more on what a National Night Out Event can look like, here are some stories from past years:
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National Night Out in Alexandria, VA
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Celebrating Community in Alexandria’s Del Ray Neighborhood with National Night Out
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National Night Out Is An Annual Gathering for Neighbors on East Howell Avenue in Del Ray
Would it surprise you that folks from surrounding blocks tend to migrate our way? Go ahead, organize a National Night Out for your neighborhood.
Michael
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