Archive for the 'Whatever' Category
Getting Organized – The Hall Closet
August 28th, 2010 Categories: Real Estate News, Whatever
A week or so ago we ran a post about getting organized – family photographs. Today we are going to talk about getting organized – the hall closet.
According to uber closet organizer Alison Lukes Teer, the hall closet is “the junk drawer of closets. Because your hall closet is used every day. . . it tends to gather a lot of random junk.” Teer goes on to say that a hall closet is valuable real estate and should contain only things you are using right now.
- Use products to increase storage. Hanging pocket organizers, hooks, clear plastic boxes, etc.
- Use matching wooden hangers for everything and keep several empty ones available for visitors.
- Mark your calendar to empty and sort twice a year. Clear out the winter accessories in late spring and then pack up summer about mid September.
Our hall closet doesn’t get much use in the summer but the winter is another story. So maybe if I get started now . . .
Don’t have a hall closet? Call me at 703.927.4554 and let’s go find one for you.
Michael
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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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School Supplies are Tax Exempt in Virginia August 6,7,8, 2010
August 2nd, 2010 Categories: Real Estate News, Whatever
Getting ready for school? It always cost you more than you think but this Virginia tax holiday will give you a small break.
That’s right, school supplies, including some clothes, are tax exempt in Virginia this weekend - August 6,7,8, 2010.
During this three-day period, purchases of qualifying school supplies selling for $20 or less per item, and purchases of qualifying clothing and footwear selling for $100 or less per item will be exempt from sales tax.
(Retailers may also choose to absorb the tax on other items during the holiday period.)
For more information, check here:
Happy Shopping! And if you want to know more about homes in your school district of choice, give me a call at 703.927.4554.
Michael
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GWSleptHere Takes Second Place in WTOP Radio Contest for Best Local Blog
July 25th, 2010 Categories: Real Estate News, Whatever
Yes it’s true, our blog, GWSleptHere took second place in a contest sponsored by WTOP radio for best local blog.
Over 10,000 votes were cast for the nine finalists and GWSleptHere just missed sliding into home (or so we are told.)
All in all we are thrilled – GWSleptHere was the only blog not focused on the District of Columbia AND the only non social blog.
We think that says a lot of good things about Northern Virginia and real estate.
It’s a great way to start off the week.
Michael
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Momma Cass Elliott Lived HERE in Alexandria
July 23rd, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Whatever
Did you know that Momma Cass Elliott lived HERE in Alexandria at one time?
Born Ellen Naomi Cohen, the future star of the “Mamas and Papas” spent at least part of her childhood in this apartment building on Commonwealth Avenue in the Rosemont section of Alexandria.
I promised not to divulge the exact apartment but let’s just say it was on the second floor . . .
Michael
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Winners Announced in Name that Picture Contest
July 10th, 2010 Categories: Whatever
Last month we wrote about the on-going saga of our lawn repair and how we had finally put out seed only to find an interloper amongst the grass.
We thought the interloper was worth of a contest and offered a $5 Starbucks card to the best entry. Granted, we’re a bit behind schedule but we are proud to announce two winners.
Chrissy from Ft. Lee, NJ offered up “Renegade Lettuce.“ Chrissy is a student and entered our contest after a friend sent her the link. We are happy to say that she is now a regular reader. Congratulations Chrissy!
Pam Beard, one of our very own Del Ray neighbors and “Miss Pam” at the Westminster Preschool, is our other winner with “Outstanding in it’s field.“ Congratulations Pam!
Thanks to both of you for sharing our fun and keep an eye out for your cards, they are on the way.
Michael
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Happy Fourth of July 2010
July 4th, 2010 Categories: Whatever
Happy Fourth of July 2010
Sweet Land of Liberty of Thee I Sing . . .
Michael
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Breaking Into A Garage in Six Seconds
June 25th, 2010 Categories: Whatever
Although garages are not a huge part of urban living, especially here in Del Ray or Old Town Alexandria, we still tend to think of them as safe havens for our cars, tools, bikes and other household items.
Unfortunately that’s really not true. Want proof? This video shows someone breaking into a garage in just six seconds.
It may be a petty thief or it may be someone intent on doing bodily harm. Don’t count on your garage door to protect you:
- Set your car alarm while the car is in the garage
- Lock the door between your garage and your house
- Buy a garage door without windows.
It may be that none of these things will deter a serious intruder but at least you can slow them down.
Michael
Thanks to Nevin Williams of First Priority Financial for this information.
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An Old Fashioned Pig Pickin’ in South Carolina
June 20th, 2010 Categories: Whatever
This Father’s Day weekend has been all about loved ones and gastronomical indulgences, southern style. Right now we are in Charleston, South Carolina with our number two son and his family. Tyler is a real estate agent too and it’s always fun to compare what’s going on in our respective markets.
He’s also a fine cook and started our weekend off with a home made “low country boil” – shrimp, small new potatoes, corn on the cob, sausages, crab legs, and lots of butter for dipping.
Next on the agenda – pig.
Tyler’s wife Nancy comes from one of the great barbecue dynasties in the state and this was our chance to indulge in the day long activity that is roasting a whole pig for an old fashioned pig pickn’.
On Saturday, Tyler, Ethan (my four year old grandson) and I headed out about 7am to pick up the pig and then on up towards Summerville and Nancy’s parents.
There, on the shores of the lake that backs to the house and in the shade of stately pines, was a stainless steel kitchen on wheels, a grill on steroids, a tribute to the caveman who invented fire. This folks, is a serious ode to barbecue.
We put the pig on about 8:30am – no salt, no seasoning, no nothing – and there it stayed until 2:30pm.
Then it was time to turn the pig, pull out the ribs, and cook for about another hour or so.
Time to pull the pork –
With long tongs and about three sets of hands, every meaty morsel, dripping with juice, was pulled from the bone and piled high in the interior. Then bottles of home made barbecue sauce – not too sweet, not too tangy – were poured on, turned and mixed and the pork was left to rest.
On the other grill, the ribs got a last minute sear. Up at the house cousins, friends, uncles, aunts, politicos, etc. were gathering – it was time to start the pig pickin’.
Add some cole slaw, potato rolls, slow cooked beans, mac and cheese, pickles, rice, hash, corn on the cob, strawberry cake, bread pudding, chocolate pudding, blackberry/peach/coconut squares, a vat of sweet tea and you’ve got yourself a feast.
And just to round out the weekend we are going to the beach today and then on to a luau with old family friends.
Home tomorrow but always accessible at 703.927.4554 or michael.bergin@verizon.net.
Michael
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Name this Picture and Win a $5 Starbucks Card
June 12th, 2010 Categories: Whatever
Earlier this year Virginia and I decided to take up our front lawn, rototill the soil, add amendments and then plant new grass seed.
Because we have a very small front yard we went to a store where we could buy seed by the pound rather than having to get one of those huge bags. Plus, we could get a mixture of seed to accommodate our particular needs.
The seed is kept in old fashioned wooden bins and scooped out by the handful into brown paper bags. Fine.
We bought, we spread, we watered and yes we finally had a stand of grass.
But there, in the middle of the grass, in the middle of the yard, was one single stalk of lettuce.
Rather than pull it up right away we left it as a curiosity and started attaching book, song and movie titles to this errant seed, this runway, this visitor from another seed bin.
But why should we have all the fun? Why not have a contest? Why not have you name this lettuce (picture) and win a $5 Starbucks card?
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
A Lettuce Grows in Alexandria
Gone with the Lettuce
The Runaway Lettuce
Goodnight Lettuce
Lettuce Entertain You
The Good Lettuce
The Girl Who Loved Green Lettuce
All entries must be entered in the comment box below. Winner to be announced on Monday, June 21.
Hey, this could be the start of something big!
Michael
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