2010 Scottish Walk Parade in Old Town Alexandria
December 4th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Old Town, Things to Do
Despite brisk 40 degree temperatures, crowds lined the streets of Old Town Alexandria today for the 40th Annual Scottish Walk Parade.
Alexandria’s Scottish heritage was well represented with tartan clad clans, dogs, music and dancing. It was a proud day for the bonnie laddies and lassies of Alexandria!
Michael
| Currently 1 Comment »
Pictures with Santa Claus in Del Ray and Old Town Alexandria
November 30th, 2010 Categories: Del Ray, Old Town, Things to Do
This weekend is your chance to get pictures taken with Santa Claus in both Del Ray and Old Town Alexandria.
On Friday night, Dec. 3, Del Ray will celebrate the holiday season with luminarias, a tree lighting, singing and, of course, Santa Claus. Professional photographer Mark Blackburn will be on had to take pictures – all courtesy of the Del Ray Business Association.
Festivities get started at 6:00pm at the site of the Del Ray Farmers Market at Oxford and Mt. Vernon Avenue.
Santa Claus will also make an appearance in Old Town Alexandria at the Old Town Firehouse at the corner of Prince and Royal. Santa’s appearance here is a fund raiser to support the Helping Hands Relief Fund.
For a donation of $10 you can use your own camera and take pictures (and lots of them) with Santa or use the photographer on hand. Santa is in residence from 11:00am -3:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4 and 5.
And to top it off, Santa always makes an appearance in the Scottish Walk Parade – also scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 4 in Old Town Alexandria.
Ho, ho, ho,
Michael
| Currently 1 Comment »
1113 North Pitt Street in Old Town Alexandria at Canal Place
November 28th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Old Town, Real Estate News
1113 North Pitt Street, Unit 2B, in Old Town Alexandria at Canal Place is now available for showing.
This sunny one bedroom, one bath condominium is a corner unit with an eat in kitchen and wood burning fireplace.
A mere three stop lights from Washington, DC on the George Washington Parkway, Canal Place is a commuters delight.
| Currently No Comments »
Shop Black Friday in Alexandria, VA
November 23rd, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Old Town
Looking for those after Thanksgiving bargains that we have come to know and love but don’t really want to fight the malls? Why not shop “Black Friday” in Alexandria? The Old Town Boutique District has just announced the first-ever Shop Local Alexandria Black Friday Sale.
Eleven stores will open at 6:00am and will offer big discounts – some as much as 30% store wide.
This is a great way to stay close to home, support your local merchants and enjoy the shops and restaurants of Old Town Alexandria. In fact, it sounds pretty perfect to me.
Opening with the sun are:
- Bellacara
- Bloomers
- Diva Boutique
- fibre space
- Fitness on the Run
- Imagine Artwear
- K Aubrey Flowers
- La Cuisine
- La Muse
- Red Barn Mercantile
- The Shoe Hive
For a complete list of what all the shops in the Old Town Boutique District are offering, click here.
| Currently No Comments »
October 2010 Real Estate Market Report for Old Town Alexandria in Zip Code 22314
November 10th, 2010 Categories: Market Reports, Old Town, Real Estate News
We haven’t done specific zip code market reports in a few months but it seems like a good time to revive the practice. The October 2010 Real Estate Market Report for Old Town Alexandria in Zip Code 22314 shows gains in sales prices and a dramatic decrease in the number of days on the market.
October 2009 had 47 sales while October 2010 had a decrease of 22 percent with 37 sales. At the same time the average sales price in October 2010 increased 9 percent over sales in October 2009.
The biggest change was in days on the market with a 33 percent decrease (this is a good thing!) from October 2009 to October 2010.
| October Old Town Alexandria 22314 |
2009 |
2010 |
| Av. List Price |
$588,123 |
$648,254 |
| Av. Sold Price |
$575,012 |
$628,194 |
| Low List Price |
$239,000 |
$279,000 |
| Low Sold Price |
$215,000 |
$269,000 |
| High List Price |
$1,149,000 |
$1,970,000 |
| High Sold Price |
$1,149,000 |
$1,900,000 |
| # of Home Sales |
47 |
37 |
| Av. Days on Market |
92 |
60 |
For more details about what the market is doing in zip code 22314 or for a customized CMA (comparative market analysis), call me at 703.927.4554.
Michael
| Currently No Comments »
Halloween on Lee Street in Old Town Alexandria – 2010
October 28th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Old Town, Things to Do
We had quite a few questions this year about Halloween on Lee Street in Old Town Alexandria. Is it going to be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 30th or Sunday, Oct. 31st?
Wonder no more! Halloween on Lee Street will take place on Halloween night, October 31st from late afternoon for the little ones to late into the night for more mature revelers.
Still looking for something to do on Saturday night? Check out the 4th Annual Ofrenda or Day of the Dead Celebration at the Torpedo Factory.
It really doesn’t have a thing to do with Halloween but it’s a great chance to get dressed up and try something new.
We will be out of town on Sunday so we’d love for any of you to send pictures our way.
Michael and Virginia
| Currently 1 Comment »
Day of the Dead Festival at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria
October 27th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Old Town, Things to Do
The 4th Annual Ofrenda or Day of the Dead Festival at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria will take place this Saturday, October 30.
Day of the Dead is a centuries old holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Mexican Americans, It focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember those who have died.
Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed.
The official celebration occurs on November 2 in conjunction with All Souls Day.
The Day of the Dead at the Torpedo Factory includes an afternoon exhibit of ofrendas or altars by 36 local artists; sugar skull making; a parade from Market Square at 7:00pm; and full blown masquerade ball in the evening.
We’re out of town this year but I’m putting this on my calendar for 2011!
Michael
| Currently 2 Comments »
Queen Street Renovation in Old Town Alexandria Takes It Down to the Studs. Part Two
October 19th, 2010 Categories: Old Town, Parker-Gray, Real Estate News
Early last month we introduced you to this Queen Street renovation in Old Town Alexandria with some “before” pictures where the developers had literally taken it down to the studs.
Today, we are delighted to show you what a creative use of space, windows, and a coat of paint can do.
We’ve been told that this side exposure will be separated from the street (Rt. 1) by an eight foot brick wall, creating an enclosed patio/garden area.
Hopefully our next set of pictures will include some interior shots – we had a chance to peak in those glass doors and it’s amazing.
Interested in the Old Town, Parker Gray area of Alexandria? Give me a call at 703.927.4554 and let’s start looking for your house.
Michael
| Currently No Comments »
The Royal Restaurant in Old Town Alexandria
October 11th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Old Town, Things to Do
The Royal Restaurant in Old Town Alexandria is very simply a local tradition. A fixture in Old Town Alexandria for over 100 years, the Royal Restaurant is home to local politicians, neighbors, early morning meetings and omelet fans everywhere.
Originally located next to City Hall at 109 North Royal, the eatery quickly attracted a following with hearty southern-style dinners and homemade rice pudding.
It was THE place for lunch in the 40′s, 50′s and 60′s and, according to the owners, the site of many of the city’s most important political decisions.
The Royal moved to it’s present location at 734 North Saint Asaph in 1965 without missing a beat. There is plenty of restaurant competition now but the Royal continues to fill the doors with locals who want good, unpretentious, reasonably priced food. What more could you ask for?
Our favorite meal at the Royal Restaurant is breakfast, especially on the weekends. Look no further than the omelet station on Saturday and Sunday mornings
With almost a dozen fillings, the omelet’s are made to order, fluffy and no nonsense. We love them! It’s no wonder that the Royal is routinely voted “best breakfast” in Alexandria.
The Royal is not the place to count calories or cholesterol but if it’s comfort you want then it’s comfort you get.
Oh, they also have “Elvis” nights, a perfect foll for the red leather booths, jukebox and black-n-white check floor tiles!
See you there,
Michael and Virginia
| Currently No Comments »
Elegance Inc. in Alexandria, VA – An Extraordinary Boutique
September 8th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Old Town
You have probably passed Elegance Inc. on King Street in Old Town Alexandria a thousand times. You have noticed the one-of-a kind wedding dresses in the window.
You have admired the sumptuous fabrics and luxurious embellishments.
But have you ever gone in?
No? Well, let me tell you what you are missing.
Filled with original designs, imported fabrics and trim, bridal veils and more, Elegance Inc. is where to come when you want to stand out from the crowd.
Mother of the bride? Embassy soiree? A special anniversary? This is where you need to be. Elegance Inc. is an extraordinary boutique.
Originally from Afghanistan, owner Roya Hashimi studied fashion design in Germany for seven years and then met her husband while on vacation here in the United States.
Speaking no English and armed only with a fierce desire to make beautiful clothes, Roya bought remnants from G Street Fabrics, made over 100 sample designs at home, and set up shop at 1311 King Street.
With now perfect English and 13 years behind her, word of mouth has been her only advertising.
The designs that line the long main room – and the always enticing front window – are the ultimate come on. Oh to be that slim and slinky!
Looking beyond the dazzle however, you see the attention to detail and the couture finishes that support the substantial price tags.
It’s worth remembering that each design, each pattern is unique and hand cut.
Roya specializes in evening wear and often does entire bridal parties from the bride and groom, to attendants to family members.
As she laughingly noted, the more complicated the better. Once, while still a student, she took out and resewed a zipper 17 times before it met her exacting standards!
Alterations are also part of the work at Elegance Inc. This is not the place for a hem or a few darts but if you are hard to fit or have “problem areas” the higher cost is well worth it. Trust me, I know.
There is another side to Roya’s business too. Knowing that paid work was the best form of independence for women in her home country, Roya started a small factory in Afghanistan.
The women do intricate bead work, turning out unique belts and trim that Roya uses in her designs. The past few years have taken a toll on this cottage industry but Roya is convinced that she is on the right path.
Now it’s your turn. The next time you pass Elegance Inc. on King Street in Old Town Alexandria; the next time you notice the one-of-a kind wedding dress in the window; the next time admire the sumptuous fabrics and luscious embellishments, go in. You’ll be glad you did.
And if you want to do a bit of looking beforehand, click here for the Elegance Inc. Web site.
Virginia Amos
Special to GWSlepthere.
| Currently 1 Comment »
; ?>/images/MatoChiclet.gif)
