With special thanks to all the men and women who serve in the military and civilian service at home and abroad. And a 21 gun salute to the Old Guard!

Michael

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Sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association, 1stThursday’s are a time for Del Ray residents to stroll, talk, taste, shop, play and simply enjoy.

The Garden Contessa

Evening Star Cafe

Just strolling . . .

A relaxing massage - with everyone watching!

When was the last time you tried a hula hoop?

Sign up for knitting lessons with Danielle Romanetti

Maggie

Want to know more about living in this great neighborhood? Call me at 703.927.4554 and let’s have a cup of coffee.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July and we’ll catch you August 7th for the next 1st Thursday,

Michael

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There are eight acres in the park, one of which is a preserved 19th century African American cemetery.

Of the 21 burials on the site, six identified headstones remain in their original location.

Sloping walkways and winding paths were designed to co-exist with the original landscape of the cemetery and are handicapped accessible.

The park designers also maintained the natural wetland environment that is home to an interesting and varied plant life as well as mallards, painted turtles, beavers and crayfish.

A focal point of the park - and the area most easily seen by passersby - is a sculpture group of bronze trees called “Truths That Rise From the Roots Remembered.”

The memorial was created by Washington, D.C. sculptor Jerome Meadows and acknowledges the contributions of African Americans to the growth of Alexandria.

Smaller sculptures throughout the site commemorate historic African American neighborhoods and the individuals buried on the site, both known and unknown. Open year round to the public, it is a favorite spot for leisurely rambles or sitting quietly.

The next time you need to go to Whole Foods on Duke Street, take a few extra minutes, walk across Holland Lane and take in a vital part of Alexandria’s history. You’ll be glad you did.

For more information about homes in historic Parker Gray, call me at 703.927.4554.

Michael

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Take a look at the day’s schedule and then ask yourself - how can I not do this? Whether you make it a full day trip or just mosey in for the evening’s spectacular concert and fireworks, you’ll be glad you did.

Democrat or Republican, native born American or naturalized citizen, young or old, single or married, this is a celebration that brings out the best in everyone.

Start the day with a good breakfast and then head to Constitution and 7th Streets for the annual Independence Day Parade with marching bands, military and specialty units, floats and VIP’s.

The parade kicks off about 11:45a.m. but it’s always crowded so arrive early for a good seat. Once the parade is over you have several options for the afternoon:

The National Archives will offer special family events and a birthday party celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence from 10:00am to 9:00pm.

The White House Visitors Center will have games, crafts, and other activities celebrating the Fourth with National Park Service Rangers on hand from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

The United States Air Force Band with special guests Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers will play on the Southwest corner of the Washington Monument grounds at 6:00pm.

And in the midst of all this, the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival is in full swing . . .

The, finally, the big finale - the Capitol Fourth Concert and Fireworks. Admittance begins at 3:00pm on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building.

No tickets are necessary but visitors are subject to security screening. Picnic baskets and blankets are fine but please don’t pack any glass.

The National Symphony Orchestra takes center stage at 8:00pm and joining them this year, among others, will be Jimmy Smits, Taylor Hicks and Huey Lewis and the News. The concert is followed by a spectacular display of fireworks over the Washington Monument.

It’s a proud moment and one of the best birthday parties you’ll ever attend. See you there,

Michael

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Board chairman Gerald E. Connolly noted “Fairfax, like the rest of the country, is facing a foreclosure crisis that’s unprecedented. The county has to use its resources and influence to try and stem the tide.”

Initial plans call for the county to buy as many as 200 homes. Tax revenue will purchase 10 houses outright and the rest will be purchased by qualifying buyers with help from government backed, low interest loans.

Assistance will be directed to first time buyers earning up to $75,600 or 80% of the county’s median income. Purchases will be limited to $385,000 and will exclude condominiums. In addition to the subsidized mortgages, buyers will be eligible for second trusts up to $70,000.

One of Fairfax County’s primary goals is to expand the stock of affordable housing for a category known as “workforce housing.” This category includes middle-income professionals like teachers, police officers, firefighters and some medical personnel who otherwise could not afford to live in one of the nation’s most affluent jurisdictions.

Although it lags behind neighboring Prince William County in Virginia and Prince Georges County in Maryland, Fairfax County had 1700 foreclosures in the past year. Several neighborhoods in Fairfax County, including Herndon, Centreville, Vienna, and Falls Church, are at risk of becoming foreclosure clusters according to a recent report commissioned by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Do you qualify for this new program? Look here for homes in Fairfax County and then call me at 703.927.4554 and let’s figure out the details together.

Michael

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Are you interested in knowing more about living in historic Old Town Alexandria? I’m just a phone call away at 703.927.4554.

Thanks for stopping by,

Michael

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Just before the rains came at the first (annual?) Del Ray Music Festival. On stage - Dagmar and the Seductones!

The rain held off until about 9:00pm and then the heavens opened . . . .congratulations to every one who worked on this remarkable event! For more information on the festival click here.

Michael

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Some of you will remember my article about how hard I was trying with reusable grocery bags - although my biggest problem was just remembering to take them in the store?

Well, last night I dashed over to WF to get a big healthy bag of fresh salad greens and some of my favorite protein bars and - gold star for me - I grabbed a reusable grocery bag out of the trunk.

Shopping done I moved towards the check out lines, all of which were long since it was near closing.

Undaunted, I took my place and whipped out my cloth shopping bag. Minutes later, after receving my 5 cent rebate and feeling proudly green, I picked up my bag - my Giant Food Store bag - and walked out.

My point? The clerk at check out could have called my attention to the fact that I had grabbed (mistakenly) a Giant bag instead of a Whole Foods bag and/or refused me the recycling rebate. Instead he fully embraced the notion of customer service and recycling.

It was more important to serve his customer quickly and efficiently and rejoice in the use of a cloth bag than to be “right.” Good for him, good for the environment, good for Whole Foods.

Virginia

Thanks to my spouse and managing partner for this update on her continuing struggle to “live green.”

P.S. What kind of customer service is your real estate agent giving you?

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The Garth Newel Music Center in Warm Springs, VA is the unique vision of Christine Herter Kendall who died in 1981.

The center produces about 50 events a year many of which are at night and where dinner may start with a minted pea soup with a scallop mousseline.

This year’s offerings will include a world-premiere composition in August by Pulitzer Prize winning composer Paul Moravec.

For more information, click here.

Michael

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Actually, the full musical line up will take two stages with bands starting at 10 in the morning (be sure and get to the Farmers Market early) and running until 10 in the evening.

Sponsored by the Del Ray School of Music, The Birchmere, Acoustic Axis and the Del Ray Centennial, expect to hear everything from Brazilian Fusion to jazz to bluegrass to classical guitar and gypsy swing!

Click here for a full schedule and more information about the bands.

Food will be provided by Del Ray favorites Let’s Meat on the Avenue, Del Merei Grille and Taqueria Poblano. Yum!

And this great poster? Thanks to Ellen Hamilton at Yellow Dot Designs.

What a great way to spend a Saturday, Del Ray style. See you at the Mt. Vernon Rec Center on Saturday -

Michael

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