Archive for the 'Del Ray' Category
Arts on the Avenue – Join us Saturday, Oct. 1
September 29th, 2011 Categories: Del Ray, Real Estate News
Join us this Saturday, Oct. 1 for Arts on the Avenue in Del Ray – THE premier arts festival in Northern Virginia – with over 300 vendors.
Stroll Del Ray’s Mt. Vernon Avenue from 10:00 am to 6:00pm for a full day of activities. In addition to the arts vendors, look for scarecrow making, pumpkin painting, puppet shows, dance performances and a wide range of music.
And did we mention the food court or the crab cake sandwiches?
Come on out and join us, it’s going to be a great day!
Michael
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National Night Out 2011 – Be There or Be Square
July 28th, 2011 Categories: Del Ray
National Night Out 2011 is just around the corner and in our part of Del Ray, it‘s Be There or Be Square.
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 armored 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
My guess is that one big topic of conversation this year is going to be the local election and the increased traffic on East Howell.
You don’t want to miss a thing, I promise!
Michael
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Squirrel Proof Tomatoes or Urban Gardening in Del Ray
June 28th, 2011 Categories: Del Ray
Last year we proudly purchased three tomato plants, pots, stakes, soil, etc. Each morning we stepped eagerly out the back door to check on the progress of our plants.
At first everything was fine – they grew rapidly, blossoms formed and then the first tiny tomatoes appeared. The tomatoes got bigger and the anticipation almost unbearable – until one morning there were no tomatoes – at all. SQUIRRELS!!!!!!!!!
Enter neighbors Michael and Brian whose houses, one on Windsor and one on Custis, share a garden. They too were plagued by tomato eating renegade squirrels. But rather than simply give into the inevitable, they took action. Call it the new urban gardening if you will, but at least these two Del Ray residents will have home grown tomatoes this summer.
Squirrel Proof Tomatoes or Urban Gardening in Del Ray
The first, not very serious plan, was to fence in the entire garden plot but with plenty of room for Winston, a squirrel loving Jack Russell Terrier. That idea abandoned, Michael and Brian came up with a squirrel proof cage for their tomatoes. Literally. It’s amazing what you can do with chicken wire and two by fours.
Early Days
Taking it one step further, these urban gardeners planted so that vertical plants, like green beans, would grow on the outside of the cage, creating a more appealing aesthetic for the neighborhood.
The Cage in all it's glory!
Add in zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli, purple cabbage and cucumbers and these two families have their own personal Farmer’s Market.
Ummmmmm, wonder if Michael and Brian hire out?
Looking for your own garden plot in Del Ray. Give me a call at 703.927.4554 and let’s go house hunting.
Michael
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Something for Everyone at the Duncan Library’s Spring Sale
May 1st, 2011 Categories: Del Ray, Real Estate News
This was the scene at the Duncan Library’s Annual Spring Sale this past Saturday in Del Ray.
There really was something for everyone - books of every shape and size, face painting, a bounce house and and even a spot for learning how to make a book.
Book Tent
Bounce House
Making a BookFace Painting
Don’t you wish YOU lived in Del Ray? Give me a call at 703.927.4554 and we’ll make it happen.
Michael
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March 2011 Housing Prices in Zip Code 22301 – Del Ray, Rosemont and Temple Hills
April 19th, 2011 Categories: Del Ray, Market Reports, Real Estate News
Today we are looking at the March 2011 Housing Prices in Zip Code 22310 which encompasses the Alexandria neighborhoods of Del Ray, Rosemont and Temple Hills.
We’re also taking a five year overview to get a larger sense of what the market is doing in our area.
As always, each month’s sales are dependent on multiple factors including the amount of inventory, the number of priced-to-sell homes, the number of qualifying buyers, etc. etc.
|
Zip Code 22301 |
No. of Homes Sold |
Average List Price |
Average Sold Price |
Days on Market |
|
Mar 2011 |
17 |
$674,800 |
$646,665 |
69 |
|
Mar 2010 |
4 |
$628,475 |
$614,150 |
33 |
|
Mar 2009 |
14 |
$719,336 |
$710,457 |
46 |
|
Mar 2008 |
8 |
$607,825 |
$686,363 |
128 |
|
Mar 2007 |
25 |
$683,744 |
$664,796 |
60 |
For more details and a free comparative analysis of your property, give me a call at 703.927.4554.
Michael
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Marino’s Pizza and Subs on Rt. 1 in Alexandria Receives Special Use Permit
March 24th, 2011 Categories: Arlandria, Del Ray, Real Estate News
Marino’s Pizza and Subs on Rt. 1, a long time Lynhaven*** fixture, has received a special use permit from the city planning commission.
Marino's Pizza and Subs
Marino’s, with it’s distinctive purple paint and deck area adorned with fake palm trees, is planning a 2,547 square foot addition that will include a second restaurant. Owner Ather Subzwari will add 44 seats for a second level, cafeteria style dining room.
The request included a modification of the rear setback from 25 to 6 feet and the installation of new landscaping. Subzwari is also working with Inturias Auto to use their lot for night time parking.
There are no current plans for alcohol sales but Marino’s will continue to be open till 1:00am on weeknights and 2:00am on Friday and Saturday.
Marino's Deck
The special use permit was granted despite a recommendation of denial by the Del Ray Citizens Association (DRCA). The DRCA noted their disapproval was more about the lack of long term planning for Route 1 development than about Marino’s. (Marino’s sits directly across the street from the Target at Potomac Yard
At the same time, Marino’s is positioning itself for the development of Potomac Yard and the proposed Metro station. Drawings show the new Metro station located behind the Target and Marino’s is directly across the street from Target.
Smart moves for all concerned.
Michael
*** Lynhaven is a neighborhood adjacent to Del Ray and Arlandria with Route 1 as one of its borders.
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February Sales for Zip Code 22301 in Del Ray, Rosemont and Temple Hills
March 23rd, 2011 Categories: Del Ray, Market Reports, Real Estate News
We decided to try something new with this look at the February sales figures for zip code 22301 which encompasses Del Ray, Rosemont and Temple Hills.
Instead of just giving you the figures for February 2011, we went back five years to get a larger sense of what the market is doing in our area.
At the same time, each month’s sales are dependent on multiple factors including the amount of inventory, the number of buyers, qualifying buyers, etc. etc.
|
Zip Code 22301 FEBRUARY |
Av. List Price
|
Av. Sold Price
|
Days on Market
|
|
2006 |
466,900 |
456,239 |
48 |
|
2007 |
715,468 |
695,368 |
136 |
|
2008 |
528,907 |
507,607 |
62 |
|
2009 |
493,918 |
476,918 |
107 |
|
2010 |
637,083 |
630,750 |
28 |
|
2011 |
609,868 |
586,907 |
104 |
For more details and a free comparative analysis on your property, give me a call at 703.927.4554.
Michael
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A French Cafe for Del Ray
March 14th, 2011 Categories: Alexandria, Del Ray, Real Estate News
Margaret Janowsky, owner of the elegant Old Town eatery, La Bergerie, has submitted plans to open a French cafe in Del Ray.
The future Le Cafe Del Ray
The location is in an old, two story house (commercially zoned) at 205 East Howell, just east of the intersection with Mt. Vernon and 3 short blocks from my house.
The building has off street parking but will also be a huge walking destination. A special use permit application has received administrative approval from the city’s Department of Planning and Zoning.
Off Street Parking
The application, which uses the name “Le Cafe Del Ray,” calls for a “full service restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and carryout for home consumption of bakery goods.”
Anyone for coffee and croissant?
Michael
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Del Ray Meet-n-Greet Monday March 14
March 9th, 2011 Categories: Del Ray, Real Estate News
The Del Ray Citizens Association’s (DRCA) 10th Annual Meet-n-Greet will take place on Monday, March 14 in the George Washington Middle School Cafeteria from 7-9:00pm.
Originally designed to introduce new residents to local businesses, the Meet-n-Greet is now a forum for city agencies, city council members and city programs, as well as our own Del Ray initiatives.
A favorite area for this real estate agent at the Meet-n-Greet is the Developer’s Corner. This is an incredible opportunity to meet with the City’s Department of Planning and Zoning and see scale models of current and future development projects.
This year expect to see designs and/or models for
- Potomac Yard
- The Calvert project
- Waterfront Small Area Plan
- Projects in Arlandria
You’ll also have a chance to meet representatives from the Sheriff’s Department, the Fire Department, the Real Estate Assessment Office (that could be an interesting conversation!) and much, much more.
It will also be your chance to join the DRCA and sign up to volunteer for annual Del Ray events like Art on the Avenue.
See you Monday night -
Michael
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Del Ray Residents Tackle Traffic – Part Two
March 2nd, 2011 Categories: Del Ray, Real Estate News
Yesterday we gave you a brief overview of how our once quiet residential street has become a thoroughfare for trucks making their way to businesses on Mt. Vernon Avenue. Today, what we are doing about it.
After a neighborhood meeting led by Barbara King and Denise Maleug, the decision was made to take a multi-pronged approach. First, a letter was sent to the businesses on Mt. Vernon Avenue.
The letter, signed by over 50 residents of East Howell Avenue, included information on the city code about “NO THRU TRUCKS, maps showing alternate, legal truck routes and our commitment to identify and report offending trucks.
At the same time, the letter expressed our support for Mt. Vernon businesses and the desire for Del Ray to maintain its small town character.
Second, a similar letter was sent to the Del Ray Citizens Association and the Del Ray Business Association alerting them to our concerns and asking for community support.
Third, our group is working with Bob Barbacz and Richard Baier in the City’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services to install the signs on Rt. 1 that are so sorely missing – and that should have been installed at the time the Monroe Street Bridge was completed.
And this is just the beginning! Other items on our agenda include more four way stop signs, cross walks and curtailing car traffic cutting through from Rt. 1 to points beyond.
What can YOU do? Be a good neighbor. Obey the speed limit. If you are giving folks directions on how to get to your favorite spot in Del Ray, send them via Monroe Avenue or Mt. Vernon. STOP at stop signs. Watch out for pedestrians. Be a good neighbor.
If you see a commercial truck on a residential street, get a license number or the name of the company and call and voice your concern.
Join the “angry mob” – it’s a great way to meet your neighbors!
Michael
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